Fresh concrete feeezing?

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #1

So contractors are just finishing of laying 60m3 today of outside yard space.

It’s due to be -6 tonight, suspect in reality it will be -3 or 4 but even so.

They didn’t plan on covering it over but I suspect they now may.

If I hadnt have called in and they left it exposed, what’s the worse that could have happened and by when?

 

Nearly

Member

Location

North of York

• Jan 20, 2022

• #2

@Forever Fendt

It makes its own heat as it cures but not enough to stop the top layer crazing and failing very quickly.

I bet they were keen to come to you as no-one else would have them?
Get it covered. IME

 

G

Grim Reaper

Member

Location

Aberdeenshire

• Jan 20, 2022

• #3

I laid a few loads just before Christmas and we had -3 so once it was nearly hard enough to walk on we spread a layer of dry straw over it about 9 inches deep. Left it like that until new year.

 

puppet

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

sw scotland

• Jan 20, 2022

• #4

Get a sheet of plastic over it

 

L

Lawless

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #5

As above - get a sheet on it asap.

 

L

Lawless

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #6

I believe the water in the top few inches can crystallise and cause it to lift in the worse case. As said it does create a lot of its own heat as it is a chemical reaction so a sheet will do a world of good.

 

W

Wisconsonian

Member

Trade

Location

America's dairyland

• Jan 20, 2022

• #7

Plastic will keep it wet, and straw over the plastic will keep it warm, and keep the plastic in place. Don't worry if there's a little frost on the bottom of the plastic where it's lifted up from the concrete. It would have ruined the surface if it froze, not sure that it would freeze, depends on how long it stays cold.

 

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #8

Thanks all.

This is all part of fixed price contract, they have been pouring on and off since October, about 1.5 acres going down. They have done an average job so far but I got cross tonight.

Turns out there was quilt on site they just didn’t know / care.

Apparently any frost related damage is visible within 5 days?

I don’t confess to know a lot, I’ve laid a bit in my time but my rule of thumb is do it right first time, these guys seem to be pushing their luck.

 

W

Werzle

Member

Location

Midlands

• Jan 20, 2022

• #9

I know nothing about concreting but would silage pit green type covers help protect it against frost and/or some portable lamps/lights.

 

Yale

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

North East Wales,upland farm,800-1300ft

• Jan 20, 2022

• #10

1.5 acres……..

 

Two Tone

Member

Mixed Farmer

Location

Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos

• Jan 20, 2022

• #11

It’s an absolute No no. Do not lay Concrete ahead of a frost.

I’m amazed that the plant it came from would even supply it if they knew where it being laid ahead of tonight’s frost.
They certainly won’t guarantee it.

 

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #12

Two Tone said:

It’s an absolute No no. Do not lay Concrete ahead of a frost.

I’m amazed that the plant it came from would even supply it if they knew where it being laid ahead of tonight’s frost.
They certainly won’t guarantee it.

Click to expand...

Thank you, this was what I thought. Independent surveys are checking the work and will be told about this. The stuff is too expensive to get wrong.

 

Exfarmer

Member

Location

Bury St Edmunds

• Jan 20, 2022

• #13

Get it covered quick , plastic straw whateever. The more the merrier. It may mark the concrete but better than top freezing which will rapidly break up under any traffic.
Best cover is layer plastic then straw then another layer plastic

 

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #14

I’m told quilt has now Been dragged over it all.

Time will tell....

Yale said:

1.5 acres……..

Click to expand...

Fixed price 12 months ago! Some poor sod is having their margin squeezed.

 

Exfarmer

Member

Location

Bury St Edmunds

• Jan 20, 2022

• #15

Doing it for the kids said:

I’m told quilt has now Been dragged over it all.

Time will tell....



Fixed price 12 months ago! Some poor sod is having their margin squeezed.

Click to expand...

It will be fine, but marked if you are worried go and put anything else on top you have to hand

 

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #16

Exfarmer said:

It will be fine, but marked if you are worried go and put anything else on top you have to hand

Click to expand...

It’s a 40x10m slab, I’ve neither the manpower or kit to do anything more tonight.

It’s already below freezing.

See what the morning brings.

We do need a lot more crush so at least we can recycle it on site if it goes badly!

 

Yale

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

North East Wales,upland farm,800-1300ft

• Jan 20, 2022

• #17

Straw bedder,blow a bale or two on,would only take 5 mins.

 

D

Doing it for the kids

Member

• Jan 20, 2022

• #18

Yale said:

Straw bedder,blow a bale or two on,would only take 5 mins.

Click to expand...

If you have that on the farm....

 

Steevo

Member

Location

Gloucestershire

• Jan 20, 2022

• #19

Yale said:

Straw bedder,blow a bale or two on,would only take 5 mins.

Click to expand...

If you have straw and a bedder!

 

O

Old apprentice

Member

Arable Farmer

• Jan 20, 2022

• #20

Straw spreader blower cover it if you could .concreted some yearsenal ago the sandyear pert of concreat liftEd and washed of the stone left raised of corse rough to scrapensure but leveled over years. The 200 loads or so of concreat I have layed all exsept 2 were based on limestonew with silage and slurry it all dissolves and wears together and leaves r reasonable surface. Best of look to night have you any nabours with straw spreaders could help?