Laying down concrete isn’t always as easy as designating a space, mixing up the concrete and laying it down—often times, the weather poses a significant variable in how the process goes from start to finish.
There are a number of misconceptions about pouring concrete in varying weather types, like that it can’t be poured in the rain or that frost will cause it to dry unevenly. We’re here to dispel some of these rumors and to set the record straight about concrete in Regina and how different conditions affect it’s pouring:
Rain
Light drizzles and minor showers are nothing to stop the presses for when it comes to laying concrete in Regina, however if they persist for extended periods of time or become heavier, some coverage might be needed to shield concrete from oversaturation. A little bit of water won’t change the overall composition of the concrete or cause it to lose its stability, however as rain showers become more torrential, you run the risk of washing unset cement away, which can be a serious issue.
On a similar note, decorative concrete should never be laid during rainy conditions, as it requires exceptional precision and fine detail. Concrete should never be laid over standing water—an obvious tip for anyone who has ever tried!
Frost
The biggest hurdle that frost presents when it comes to laying concrete is the interference that’s caused during the process. Frost can be paved into concrete as it’s being laid and when it melts or evaporates, air pockets are left in the cement, causing structural issues.
In some cases, frost-proofing chemicals can be added to cement if it absolutely has to be laid during a frosting period, however this is generally only done with smaller jobs, where the cement will cure faster.
Also, when it comes to laying concrete in Regina on top of a space that has already been affected by frost, the subject should always be avoided. Melting frost underneath a cement pad will cause unevenness and sinking almost immediately. As a rule of thumb, if the temperature can’t stay above freezing for you to lay your concrete, it’s best not to.
Heat and humidity
You might think that high heat and humidity are the best conditions to lay concrete, but you’d only be partially right. While moisture in the air is generally a good thing when it comes to concrete in Regina, high heat can really take its toll on mixtures.
If concrete is laid in direct sunlight or the temperatures reach scorching levels outside, the uncured concrete has a tendency to crack and become brittle. Keeping concrete hydrated during hot conditions is essential and ensuring that it’s not exposed to direct sunlight is highly advised.
Some humidity in the air is a good thing, to help retain the moisture levels of uncured concrete, however if humidity levels rise too high or fall too low, you could find yourself having to tend to the concrete more closely, to prevent it from drying out or warping.
The ideal condition for laying concrete, if you haven’t guess thus far, are warmer days (not scorchers) where there is a moderate level of humidity. And while we can’t always ask for these prime conditions when it comes to laying concrete in Regina, at least there’s a fighting chance no matter what the weather is like!