Concrete and Cold

[digitS']

Looks like I may have lost the chance to start the fence replacement.

I realized that every time I've worked with concrete, the weather has been warm. The American Concrete Institute, according to about.com, say above 40°F and above 50°F, air and surface. Never pour on frozen ground.

It looks like we may go above 40° for a day or 2 but I had just hoped that this (& the rain) would thaw th 6" of frozen soil. There is no way the warmer temperatures will do more and it won't get to 50° in the ground or for any afternoon high!

That fall project seems to have just blown away with the Autumn leaves ...

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

As any gardener knows, there is always next year.

 

[ninnymary]

Steve, you have to move faster next time!

Mary

 

[catjac1975]

We are doing an emergency cement pouring over this weekend. I saw them pouring cement cellars for a hotel in January in CANADA. I would guess they set up heaters or perhaps use a special cement for the cold climate. What about quick set?

 

[canesisters]

I know there is concrete that will 'cure' underwater... there MUST be some for cold weather??

... but - speaking of concrete and cold weather...
I'm driving all the way to the far side of Richmond this afternoon to pick up a bunch of concrete pavers. 18" rounds with pebbles on top. They'll look great in that big planting bed I started this past summer... assuming that they don't crumble as I pry them out of the dirt

At only $1.50 each, I couldn't pass without giving them a try.

 

[digitS']

I've been told that there is extra calcium added to concrete in cold weather. The information cited just says extra cement and less water.

Tho' they also aren't talking about holding posts. Pretty simple ... I talked to a guy who installs fences a year or so ago. Just a half a bag of dry mix, he tells me. I see other things he does and wouldn't want him building a fence for me!

Gotta remember why I'm replacing what I've got, other than that I started disliking the looks as soon as I finished. The wind breaks the posts. There are now 4 broken. I said I was not gonna scab on a 2 by beyond #3. But they need to be strong or it will only be another 12 years and the fence posts will be breaking 1 after another ... I'd like to do better not worse than that.

Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Steve, I think this was talked about around here at one time, but have you considered using steel posts that you can attach your wood rails to? Just thinking they'd hold up to the wind better, and no rot.

 

[digitS']

Yep. But, I don't care much for the looks of 'em ...

Except, there is one type that you cover the metal with a 2 by 4! About $25 each before attaching the board ..!

There are also plates that I've just seen and know nothing about. Steel brackets can be set down into the concrete. Those cost the same as a 4 by 4 that would sit on top them.

The neighbor wanted chain link but I ignored that and she is a-okay with what I've come up with. Kind of a laminated design, democratically identical on both sides . Reinforcement into the pothole is possible ...

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

What about putting in the cement when warm and covering it with a hay bale for the overnight?

 

[freedhardwoods]

Looks like I may have lost the chance to start the fence replacement.

I realized that every time I've worked with concrete, the weather has been warm. The American Concrete Institute, according to about.com, say above 40°F and above 50°F, air and surface. Never pour on frozen ground.

It looks like we may go above 40° for a day or 2 but I had just hoped that this (& the rain) would thaw th 6" of frozen soil. There is no way the warmer temperatures will do more and it won't get to 50° in the ground or for any afternoon high!

That fall project seems to have just blown away with the Autumn leaves ...

Steve

If you are talking about setting posts in concrete, you aren't pouring on (on top of) frozen ground. Hundreds of pole barns are built every winter in extremely cold weather with no problems. As long as the frozen crust isn't more than a foot deep, it will work fine. Just put some type of insulation around the post on top of the ground. The insulation you place at the top, and the insulating value of the ground will hold in the heat created from curing action of the concrete, allowing it to cure properly.