The weather has turned in the Sea to Sky Corridor and as of October 1st all vehicles travelling north on Highway 99 must carry chains, or have snow tires with either a mountain snowflake symbol or a mud and snow (M+S) symbol on the tire sidewall. Winter is here whether we’re ready for it or not!
But what does the cooler weather mean for your concrete pour? The air and material temperature can greatly affect the proper curing of poured concrete and successful cold weather concreting requires understanding of the various factors that affect concrete properties.
What is Cold Weather Concreting?
According to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), cold weather is defined as a period when for more than three consecutive days the average daily temperature is less than 5°C and the air temperature is not more than 10°C for more than one-half day of any 24-hour period.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) A23.1-14 Clause 7.1.2.1 states: “When there is a probability of the air temperature falling below 5°C within 24 h of placing concrete (as forecast by the nearest official meteorological office), all materials and equipment needed for adequate protection and curing shall be on hand and ready for use before concrete placement is started.” Since weather conditions can change rapidly in the winter months, good concrete practices and proper planning are critical.
Learn More
For more information on why you should consider the weather when scheduling your concrete pour and how to place concrete in cold weather, download our Cold Weather Concrete Tips sheet, or contact our Quality Control professionals at 604-898-5015.