What is the effect of frost on drying cement?

Answer 1

Basically you will have to lay it again if your not careful as it will crack as the water expands and contracts.

Answer 2

As concrete cures it is affected by frost causing the quality to be poor and the surface may spall. If it is not too late ( if you haven't already done it ) get some anti-frost protection liquid from your builders merchant and add to the mixture. Protect the poured concrete with insulation (rockwool, straw or sacking ) and plastic sheeting to prevent the insulation from getting wet. Straw and a silo cover is good if you can get it. It all depends on what sort of area we are talking about. The others have given you the chemistry. Concrete doesn't dry it cures, You will have to lift off the insulation and keep the concrete wet daily. It needs water for the chemical reaction.

Answer 3

Concrete Frost Protection

Answer 4

Concrete requires an exothermic reaction between water and cement... these coat the surface of sand grains whihc in turn coast the surface of aggreggate and all the materials become monolithic. Remove the water from the equation and they remain separated particles. So, if it is too cold, the exothermic reaction is denied and the concrete becomes crumbly.

The problem with overheating is that the moisture evaporates causing the same problem.

Answer 5

Frost will freeze the water content of drying cement,causing it to crack and lift.You might try covering the cement with plastic,then covering that with damp sacking.
If the damage isn't already done,this may help.

Answer 6

if it is not dry the water in it will freeze expand so causing it to crack

this time of year the best thing to do is use quick drying cement or cover it to keep the frost off

Answer 7

Frost is not as bad as freezing.

Concrete has a lot of water in it when it is first poured and that water evaporates as the concrete dries. If fresh concrete freezes the ice crystallizes the concrete in layers.

You may not see the results at first but over time the concrete may chip and crack unexpectedly.

Note: Curing concrete creates heat. If you use a concrete blanket or plastic to cover the slab while it is curing it will produce enough heat to keep it from freezing.

Answer 8

Yes it will cause the cement to spall and lumps will flake off. You can get special antifreeze (NOT car antifreeze) from Sealocrete at you local Builders' Merchant or DIY store. Whilst setting cover the cement with hessian or a breathable fabric.

Answer 9

It will eventually dry out but with cracks and faults in it. It will also make the cement weak and brittle in places

Answer 10

Yes it can crack, probably will at best the surface will be impaired, Add anti freeze to the mix or propriety brand of frostprotector. Not enough info of why u need to know, but if it's already done the path. driveway whatever wont be as long lasting or durable as ones laid in better conditions.

Answer 11

Cracking