Concreting in 0 degrees

[markyyyyyy]

Ideally I want to concrete in my aco drain and last remaining flat top concrete edges today (for patio)

Weather says temp will be 0 degree lowest but 7-8 during day.

Is it ok to concrete in these conditions?

 

[robinbanks]

Cover it up with something insulating at night, it'll be fine. Curing times are extended in low temperatures

 

[markyyyyyy]

Cover it up with something insulating at night, it'll be fine. Curing times are extended in low temperatures

What could I use? Old towels/bed sheets or something?

 

[robinbanks]

I normally use an old duvet, between plastic if it looks like it's gonna get wet

 

[noseall]

Ideally I want to concrete in my aco drain and last remaining flat top concrete edges today (for patio)

Weather says temp will be 0 degree lowest but 7-8 during day.

Is it ok to concrete in these conditions?

Surfaces can get spoiled, is about all. If its a big lump, I'd not worry too much. Throw some hessian sacking over it or a few old dust sheets.

 

[^woody^]

If it's a hard frost, it's not just the surface.

 

[noseall]

If it's a hard frost, it's not just the surface.

Agree. But it would need to be dead hard and prolonged.

In low temp's, things just slow right down.

 

[JohnD]

You can use warm water in the mix, which helps, and cover it once set enough not to be marked. It will lose a lot of heat on a cold, clear night if not covered.

 

[^woody^]

You can use warm water in the mix, which helps, and cover it once set enough not to be marked. It will lose a lot of heat on a cold, clear night if not covered.

Warm water does not help.

What may help, as the cement reaction is exothermic, would be adding more cement.
But easier would be to just add an accelerant/ frostproofer.

 

[JohnD]

Warm water does not help.

Why do you say that? It is done in cold regions.

 

[^woody^]

Why do you say that? It is done in cold regions.

I say it because it does not work, whether it's so cold that 0°C is within the hour and then all night, or whether 0°C is several hours away.

Think about it.

And then add the fact that the water in the mix must have reacted or evaporated before it is allowed to freeze

 

[JohnD]

You'd better tell the people in cold countries they are wrong.

Heating concrete using hot water

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