October 19, 2019, 01:27 PM
techguyConcrete curing question
My wife wants a covered deck attached to the house. I’ve got some quotes and a guy can do it here in 2-3 weeks. My question is, will the concrete for the posts cure properly with the temperatures we will have here? It looks as though it’s going to be a high of mid 50’s during the day and low overnight in the mid 30’s. Thank you.
October 19, 2019, 01:43 PM
az4783054The rate of 'cure' may be slightly slower, but using concrete insulation blankets, it should be fine.
October 19, 2019, 06:14 PM
rtquigAs long as you don't have a hard freeze you will be fine. As said above the blankets would help, but covering with straw is also fine. During curing, concrete gives off heat. Straw will hold in the heat.
October 19, 2019, 06:39 PM
Sunset_VaAnd moisture helps also.
October 19, 2019, 09:26 PM
hrcjonconcrete can be cured in almost any temp as its exothermic. That said help is needed in lower temps very early in the cure process. Mostly <40F. So if you can get a period that is above that for 24h fine. If not you need to add heat during that period. Or if you can get an early period of not low temps then covering it will probably be ok later. But an extensive inventory of aids is available that put heated blankets, enclosures etc. to deal with this. A good concrete guy will know what he needs to do.
October 19, 2019, 10:16 PM
ugeestaAs long as the low temps don't go below freezing, the concrete will be fine. Days 1 & 2 the concrete will be producing heat while curing. It's the next 5 days that are critical. A concrete blanket will help keep the heat in the concrete to properly cure.