If you’re considering a major project this summer that involves pouring concrete, you might be thinking that you can handle it yourself. After all, they do sell bags of cement mix, so how hard could it be to mix and pour concrete, right? While some small concrete projects are feasible as DIY endeavors, there are some things you should know before pouring concrete in the summer. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you start your project. And, if your project involves more than a small amount of concrete, we strongly recommend contacting a professional for concrete construction in Fairfax County.
Despite how durable and tough concrete is, it can be a bit finicky when it’s fresh. Concrete sets best when temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you start hitting 90 degrees or higher, you can begin to experience problems with the concrete. So, if you want to handle it yourself and still get excellent results, shoot for a day that won’t be getting above 90, while having good weather.
The temperature isn’t the only thing you should be checking before you begin pouring your concrete this summer. Obviously, you don’t want to pour it when there’s rain in the near future, but in addition to this, you want to choose a day that isn’t too windy, and with average to high relative humidity. Moisture impacts the hardening time.
So, why is it not a great idea to pour concrete during high heat? In addition to making your job much more uncomfortable, high temperatures also cause concrete to set much more quickly. This might sound great, but it actually makes it much more difficult to properly level and smooth your concrete before it sets. If you’re pouring more than a small amount of concrete, this can cause your finished slabs to be uneven and have surface deformities.
Additionally, if you’re pouring large slabs, you should be placing control joints that will help prevent random cracking as the concrete hardens. It’s much harder to properly place these joints when your concrete is setting too quickly. This will make the slab more prone to cracking as it dries. Setting too quickly also reduces the strength of your concrete and makes it more prone to cracking down the road.
If you must pour concrete in hot weather, here are a few tips to follow:
1. Lightly hydrate the designated surface before you begin pouring the concrete.
2. Schedule your project for the coolest part of the day.
3. Chill your water as best you can before mixing it with the concrete.
4. Use a hot-weather admixture, like recycled plastic additives, to extend setting time.
5. Only mix the concrete until it has been properly combined; overmixing will cause more water loss, which will exacerbate the problems caused by hot weather.
6. Place a shade over your work area to slow setting time—and to keep you cool as you work!
Pouring concrete in the summer is not for the faint of heart. Contact us at Alfredo’s Construction Company, Inc. to schedule professional construction services in Fairfax County if you want to ensure that it’s done properly and your finished project is built to last.
Our construction company goes the extra mile to provide unparalleled services tailored to your unique requirements. Let us turn your dream property into reality. Call our concrete construction business offices in Maryland and Virginia to schedule an appointment.