The durability of concrete and how solid it is are controlled somewhat by the ambient temperature. What this means is that when it comes to installing concrete driveway, some times of year are better than others. Although you can technically install a driveway in the middle of a freezing winter or the hottest of summer months, it’s better to avoid extremes of temperature. So, when pouring concrete driveways, it’s important to carry out the work when the outdoor temperature is suitable.
If you wish to choose the best time of Installing concrete driveways, you should carry out the work in fall. During fall, the nights are cooler yet the days are still warm. More importantly, there isn’t as much humidity in the air as there is in summer. Fall provides the optimal temperature for curing concrete. What this means is that a concrete driveway installed in fall with have a longer lifespan as well as being more durable
Why the Ambient Temperature is So Important When Pouring Concrete
How well and how fast concrete sets and dries depends on the current outdoor temperature. The warmer the weather, the quicker the concrete will set. Fall in Ontario is the perfect time to install your new driveway. If you leave it till winter when the temperature is below freezing, the concrete and materials will freeze, leading them to crack into pieces before they have time to dry. The best time to pour concrete is definitely not in winter, You will end up with a bad-quality driveway that will most likely crack in several places and that will need replacing or resurfacing after only a short amount of time.
Have you ever Seen a Bad Concrete Installation?
It’s easy to spot a bad concrete installation; you will see cracks on the driveway or walkway. When you see this, it’s a good indication that the concrete was poured during extremes of temperature, either hot or cold. A bad concrete job is also indicative of a lack of specialist equipment having been used. A bad concrete driveway installation not only looks bad. It is not durable and will need stand the test of time.
How to Install Concrete during the Winter Months?
When the temperature outdoors drops below freezing, specialist processes and tools are used for pouring concrete. Some of these may include the following:
- Tents
- Warming Blankets
- A non-water-based curing compound
- Concrete pumps that ensure the placement process is sped up during the winter
- Sprayers for applying the curing compound
- The use of heaters at ground level
Professional concrete pourers such as Elizabeth Concrete can achieve perfect results when pouring concrete, no matter what the ambient temperature is. However, in order to achieve these results during freezing weather, specialist equipment and techniques are required. If you require a concrete pouring service in winter, it will most likely cost you more than a service at other times of the year. This is the main reason when Fall is the recommended time of year for concrete driveway installation.
For a quote of more information from Elizabeth Concrete, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our new services are budget-friendly and no job is too big or too small for our team. From a small driveway to a large and ornate winding driveway leading up to your property, we have a solution to meet your needs and budget.