Cold Weather Masonry
What defines cold weather? Working conditions below 40 degrees F. This temperature is generally considered “cold weather conditions” for masonry.
What happens when the weather gets colder? Colder temperatures will slow the cement and water reaction rate. If the temperature gets cold enough the water in use will freeze, causing unexpected expansion and other problems. If the surfaces being covered or cemented together are wet or frozen, this will inhibit the bonding process. So far it’s all about the materials, but what about the workers? If you are working in colder weather you obviously must take extra care to ensure comfort and safety. Keep in mind that cold weather may affect the overall workmanship, as you may try to work faster or slower than normal to account for the cold weather. All these problems can be overcome with careful planning. One of the best steps to take is to enclose the area and bring in a heat source. This may not always be practical, but even warming up smaller areas at a time can be beneficial.
Also, the simple task of keeping all materials properly covered will help keep snow and ice off them and protect them from cold winds making the material even colder.
So working in cold weather shouldn’t stop your masonry project, but you should plan and take some extra precautions to ensure a successful outcome.
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