Hot weather can threaten your concrete pour if you don’t know the workarounds. Luckily, a bit of knowledge can help you overcome the challenges that heat presents. By understanding the impact of hot weather on concrete, and making sure you follow the best practices, you can enjoy a successful pour in summer.
In this article, the team here at Sussex Ready Mix Concrete will guide you through how to lay concrete in hot weather and how to protect it from the heat while it cures.
The impact of hot weather on concrete
The basic components of concrete are cement, water and aggregates. Each ingredient is vital in the curing process, which allows the concrete to reach its full strength.
When it’s hot, and especially when temperatures reach above 30 degrees, this can speed up evaporation, leading to concrete shrinking and cracking. This spoils the look, longevity and durability of the concrete, and leads to reduced workability too.
All of these detrimental factors mean that concrete poured in hot weather cures too quickly and can’t reach its full potential. This may even result in it being relaid if the quality is especially poor.
How to pour concrete in hot weather
Let’s take a look at the following tips and tricks for pouring concrete in hot weather so you can get the best result:
- Get the timing right: Check the weather forecast and pick a cooler day to pour. If that’s not possible, plan the pour for early in the morning or later in the day to avoid peak temperatures.
- Prepare the pour site: Your best chance of success relies on a quick pour, so make sure your site is ready for delivery to ensure no delays. If you can foresee any access issues, ask your chosen concrete company about using pumps to overcome obstacles and speed up the process. Here at Sussex Ready Mix Concrete, we can provide ground line pumps and boom pumps for total access.
- Shade is your friend: Set up some sun shades at the pour site to keep the harsh heat away, and ensure any materials and equipment are kept in the shaded areas until they are needed.
- Dampen things down: Slightly dampening any formwork with cold water can keep the pour area cool and encourage hydration.
- Include admixtures: Speak to your chosen concrete company and see if the mix can be adjusted to increase its resilience to the heat. This may involve including admixtures, such as retardants, to slow down the setting time.
Once the concrete is laid, you also need to consider how you will keep it cool, as a steady curing time is important for the concrete to reach its full strength. The next section will address this part of the process.
How to protect fresh concrete from the heat
The curing process is vital to ensure the concrete reaches its full strength. To maintain the right timescale, it needs to retain its moisture. Rapid evaporation from the heat can disrupt this process. The aim is therefore to retain this moisture and slow the evaporation process, maintaining the quality of the concrete.
One technique to achieve this is to cover the freshly poured concrete with plastic sheets or curing blankets to slow evaporation rates and trap the moisture. You can also consult with your chosen concrete provider to see how they can help.
Enjoy a high-quality concrete pour this summer with help from Sussex Ready Mix Concrete. You’ll only pay for what you use, making us affordable and trusted concrete suppliers for Sussex, including Haywards Heath, Brighton and Worthing. We have a range of mixes and equipment available, such as on-site mixed concrete, ready mix concrete and concrete pumps, so get in touch for more information.