It is usually advisable to conduct concrete repairs during warm weather. However, you may need to repair some extensive cracks in your concrete driveway so that the cold weather does not worsen the damage. This article discusses some helpful tips that homeowners should bear in mind as they conduct DIY concrete repairs during cold weather.
Use Hot Water
The first thing that you should remember is that the cold weather will make the concrete mix to freeze before you can use it. The only way to prevent this from happening is to use hot water as you prepare the mix. That hot water will help to keep the temperature of the concrete mix elevated until you can pour it in the cracks that you would like to repair. It is also advisable to delay preparing the concrete mix until you need to use it. This will reduce the time that the mix will stay in your container before you use it.
Pay Attention to the Sub-Base
Never pour any concrete on a sub-base that has frost. This is because the freshly repaired concrete will crack once the frost thaws. You should use an insulating blanket to shield the sub-base from the extreme cold. Alternatively, you can rent a ground heater to thaw the sub-base before you pour the concrete mix into the cracks that you are repairing.
Have Ample Help
Conducting concrete repairs during cold weather is a race against time. This is because every minute that you take when attending to one crack creates an opportunity for the concrete mix to freeze before you move to the next crack in the driveway. Avoid wasting materials by enlisting the help of several people so that you complete the repairs before the materials freeze.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Pay attention to your comfort during the concrete repair process. This is because any discomfort that you feel may cause you to rush through the repair process without attending to each step of the process adequately. Wear several layers of clothing before you start the repair process. In this way, you will be able to remove some layers of your clothing, such as a hoodie, when you feel warm as you work. You can later put on extra layers in case the cold becomes more intense as you work.
Follow the tips above and you will be able to have lasting results from the concrete repairs that you conduct during cold weather.
Share2 August 2016
We have had a space out by the back of the shop for parking since the shop opened. But we noticed that fewer and fewer customers were using it and more customers mentioned the lack of parking in our area. It turned out that they didn't like parking on the back, unsealed lot as this made their shoes muddy and their car dirty. We used a concrete contractor to come and seal the carpark as well as mark out defined parking bays. The customers love it and we have noticed an increase in business. This site talks about how small businesses can create parking spaces with concreting to improve their customer experience.
