Concrete block in winter

[se2000]

Winter is fast approaching and my walls are not done. Being my first time, it is taking way longer than to construct.
Anybody with experience in working with block at around freezing temps? Do you prefer to use a fast set or add an antifreeze?

 

[romegadave]

Reading about that right now

either www.doityourself.com and search "Laying block below freezing"

Laying block below freezing - DoItYourself.com Community Forums


maybe that will work....pretty good info!

 

[nspctr1]

I am assuming that by antifreeze you mean calcium chloride or salt? I wouldn't use that because it will deteriorate the reenforcing steel over time leading to premature failure. Also, don't set block within 24 hours of a freeze because the moisture in your mortar will freeze causing it to become brittle, again resulting in premature failure. For best results set your block in 40f and rising temps to avoid any problems.

my .02

 

[se2000]

I've been laying block up to yesterday. It never went above freezing so I took the day off.
I think the mortar will be fine as I've been laying it on as dry as I can to dry blocks.
No calcium chloride for my project. I may find another additive or as my current plan is to build a tent to do 1 wall section. Say 12' high and 20' long. I have to keep going. I having my aluminum decking arrive soon and I want to install it right away. the area under it will be storage and I want to get out of one of those storage rental places.
I am getting much better at laying block though. I let go of perfection on each block and now going on a perfect finished project.

I had hope someone here was in he trade or had a buddy

 

[bkfj40]

You should tent it...be careful of the fumes when heating however...

I'm on the design end of the trade and the worst thing you could do would be to add a chloride. Be careful of mixing it dry as the joints may not be as strong. I would also recommend vertical and horizontal reinforcement on all block projects.

 

[Thornton]

bk has the right idea.

Tent your project with poly and heat it. During the day you may not need the heat but at night you don't want it to freeze up on you. I've been on jobs where the masons have large swing scaffolds set up and covered in poly with propane heaters keeping it nice and toasty. My guys are above them framing and freezing. You wouldn't have to do anything that elaborate just keep it from freezing. I've also seen them put thermal blankets on walls to heat hold the heat in. Same blankets the concrete guys use.

 

[se2000]

well for me the 12' x 20' tent is easy to make too elaborate. I did pick up some 2x8, 2x10 and 2x12 in 4' pieces as I think I'll make 3 sections 4' wide and put lumber between them to make the tent. I just gotto remember I have to move this around at least 5 times to do the whole thing. Since I have the wall already 4 1/2' up, I'll have to make scaffolding to along with the tent. Sunday is the first day it is suppose to be above freezing because it will snow that day. I have a few 4x8 sheets of foam which I think I'll use as the "roof" under the tarp to help hold in the heat. I think I will go electric as I have a couple of baseboards that I removed as part of my geothermal conversion. there goes the electric bill.