what is the lowest working temperature advisable to lay concrete and build walls please?

Answer 1

The National Building Code of Canada requires ther following for Cold Weather Concrete Requirements:
(1) When the air temperature is below 41 F, concrete shall be
(a) kept at a temperature of not less than 50 F or more than 77 F while being placed, and
(b) maintained at a temperature of not less than 50 F for 72 hours after placing.

It is not difficult to maintain this temp with concrete as the chemical reactions during concrete curing produces heat. Once the concrete is placed just cover it with a tarp. If it is really cold, use a propane heater under the tarp.

Houses are built all winter long here in Canada so it is no problem to pour concrete in cold weather. To prevent honeycombing of the concrete just make sure you keep it covered.

Answer 2

I have just laid a concrete drive and will be repairing a brick wall after Christmas. This time of the year is not ideal [frost and rain] but if you must, simply cover the wet concrete with a few pieces of wood to support an old carpet and a PVC sheet - keeps the frost at bay and the rain off. Anchor the edges down with a few bricks.
I will be leaving the covers on for around five days, as concrete is slow drying.
When tackling the wall, I will simply drape the carpet and PVC sheet over the wall for a few days.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

your local concrete company will advise you on what to add to the mix depending on weather conditions. For many years I worked construction in North Dakota and we never stoped building no matter how cold it got I remember building shelters so the brick layers could continue and the temps where well bellow 0. you can have hot sand, chloride, heated blankets, scaffold and plastic with heaters. Good luck

Answer 4

Above freezing. Cover the concrete and mortar walls to keep it warm if below 32F is anticipated. Keep mortar materials and block warm before using.
Cooler temps increase cure time. Adding more cement will speed up cure time. Using warm water will help, too.
Adding salt weakens the concrete or mortar.

Answer 5

Above freezing -- you don't want the free water in the mixture to freeze before the concrete hardens, though the cement and water is a chemical reaction that does produce heat itself.

Answer 6

anything below zero is not advisable,even if its mild through the day it can still freeze the water content mortar and render it useless.but concrete as all antifreeze repellents in them if you request it on placing an order.

Answer 7

Just before the brickies say feck this its feckin freezing we're of to the pub

Answer 8

Just avoid freezing conditions. Does not need heat to set.

Answer 9

Add hot water whilst mixing the cement

Answer 10

In construction the rule of thumb is 4C degrees and rising