Key Insights Into Pouring Concrete in Hot Temperatures
The process of curing concrete can be a tricky one in normal circumstances, now adding hot temperature into the mix makes for a total headache. According to the PCA, an increase of 20 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce the concrete setting times of a mixture by almost 50%. This means that concrete that would take 3 hours to set in 60 Fahrenheit would only take 1 hour and 30 minutes in 80 Fahrenheit weather.
Now the best way for concrete to cure is by ensuring that it stays cool and hydrated enough so that the concrete doesn’t dry up and create those pesky cracks that we hate to see. The good thing for us is that this problem can be alleviated with some simple tips and tricks that you will want to make sure to implement the next time you are looking to cure your concrete in the hot summer weather.
Time you want to pour the concrete
The time you want to pour your concrete goes hand in hand with the temperature. Typically very early in the morning before the sun is out and late in the evening is when you want to go ahead and pour your concrete as the temperatures are below 90° F. Make sure you have all your tools in place ready to go as you have a limited window of time before your concrete hardens.
Tracking how hydrated your concrete is
The core reason why your concrete starts to crack when you lay it in hot temperatures is that the water that keeps the concrete hydrated is evaporated. You want to be able to keep track of how hydrated your concrete is so that this doesn’t catch you by surprise.
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