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How to Pour Concrete in Hot Weather
17th June 2024 Summer days are perfect for hitting the beach, but not so much for pouring concrete. The hot sun can wreak havoc on your project, but fear not - with planning and a careful approach, you can still pour concrete successfully and avoid a cracked, uneven mess.
The specialists at Wright Readymix have poured concrete in all sorts of conditions, so we know the tricks to prevent mistakes and achieve a smooth and crack-free result. Read on for our step-by-step guide to successfully pouring concrete in summer!
How Can Heat Affect a Concrete Pour?
While you might think hotter temperatures would make the concrete stronger faster, that's not necessarily the case. Here's why:
- Concrete sets quicker in the heat, which sounds good at first. But this rapid setting doesn't give the crystals inside the concrete enough time to strengthen. This can lead to a considerable loss in strength for every jump in temperature.
- The heat causes moisture in the concrete mix to evaporate, decreasing slump and making it difficult to work with. You might add more water to compensate, which can dilute the concrete's strength and cause another loss in strength.
- The heat can also cause the concrete to cure unevenly. The water evaporates quickly from the surface, pulling moisture up from the lower layers. This uneven drying can cause the surface to blister or crack.
How to Successfully Pour Concrete in Hot Weather
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent the heat from ruining your pour. Here's what to do:
1. Plan Your Pour for Cooler Hours
The hottest part of the day (typically afternoon) is the worst time for pouring concrete. Whenever possible, try to schedule your pour for early morning or later afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
2. Shade Your Pouring Area
Simply protecting your pour from the sun is an effective way of limiting the evaporation and slowing the set time. You can achieve this by setting up shade sails, umbrellas, or even cardboard to shield the area from the sun.
3. Use Cold Water to Pre-Wet Your Formwork
Pre-wetting will cool down the forms and prevent them from absorbing water from the concrete. This can help prevent the concrete from drying out too quickly.
4. Add Retarding Admixtures
Retarding admixtures are specifically designed to slow down the setting time of concrete. This can be helpful in hot weather, as it will give you more time to work with the concrete before it starts to harden.
5. Use Curing Blankets or Curing Compound
Curing blankets are large sheets of fabric that are placed over the concrete to protect against sunlight and help it retain moisture. Curing compound is a liquid that is sprayed onto the surface of the concrete to achieve the same effect.
6. Shorten Timescales
The more time it takes to transport, mix, and place the concrete, the more time it has to heat up. If possible, try to order your concrete from a supplier that's close to your job site. You can also try to mix the concrete on-site instead of having it delivered pre-mixed.
Wright Readymix: Your Reliable Concrete Partner for Any Project
Need high-quality concrete, fast? Wright Readymix is your one-stop shop for all your concrete needs in the South West of England and South Wales. We offer:
- Ready-mix concrete: We'll provide the perfect mix for your project, manufactured to your exact specifications and the weather conditions you'll be working in.
- Concrete pumps: Our fleet includes the UK's largest 62-metre pump for expansive jobs, and our boomless minipump, ideal for hard-to-reach areas.
- All-weather expertise: Our experienced team can handle concrete pours rain or shine, hot or cold, reducing the risk of delays.
Get a quote online or call us on 0117 958 2090 today. We're happy to discuss your project and recommend the best concrete solution for you!