Mix Designs: Dealing with high humidity and warm weather can require the use of admixtures to extend the set time. Forms can either be removed after pouring concrete to let dry, or be left in the concrete as permanent edging. In most cases the answer is YES! Proper water content and concrete finishing practices are critical for long-term durability. Curing concrete in these regions usually requires the use of solvent-based curing compounds or cure-and-seal chemicals to avoid freezing. Cold rain can continue into May, with cold temperatures beginning in early October. Cold temperatures typically do not become a factor until November. Special Equipment: Plastic sheeting; curing blankets. Due to extensive freeze-thaw conditions, this region is prone to spalling and scaling concrete. The first substantial snowfall typically arrives by the end of October, and snow is usually not gone until May or June. This is the dry season and conditions are most favorable during this time of year for exterior concrete work. Special Equipment: Sprayers to apply surface evaporative control chemicals and curing compounds; plastic sheeting. The wet season runs from June to October, with the dry season running through the winter into early summer. Placement and Curing Practices: Due to high winds, using surface evaporative retarders along with proper curing chemicals is recommended. Straight concrete mixes can also be used, as they tend to set faster than hybrid mixes. Frost and freezing temperatures can start to become a factor later in the season. Proper water content and finishing are critical for long-term durability. And do not pour concrete over frozen ground. Of course, Shamrock Construction Solutions is glad to take charge of your concrete … Snowfall can occur at any time during the spring months, with wide temperature swings. When hot, dry conditions exist, surface evaporative control agents should be available. Daytime temperatures can be very warm, with late afternoon thunderstorms and some severe storms common. Smith Company. Hydration stabilizers and water reducers are commonly used to extend the working life of the concrete without affecting performance. Placement and Curing Practices: Reference both High Mountains Summer and Winter since this season can have elements of both climates. Starting a foundation in the winter or spring is usually not a big deal as long as the footers are poured the day of or day after the hole is excavated. Climate (September - November): Fall provides the lowest humidity and most stable temperatures for pouring exterior concrete. Most desert regions average 10 to 12 inches of rainfall annually. Most exterior concrete work takes place during the summer in this region. The region receives an average of 40 to 90 inches of rainfall annually. Mix Designs: Cold-weather concrete mix designs are typically used in these regions, but can be replaced with standard mixes, weather permitting. Temperatures are still moderate, and exterior concrete work is preformed with little concern for extreme weather. Most precipitation that falls is snow. Mix Designs: Dealing with low humidity and intense sunshine can require the use of admixtures to extend the set time. Rapid surface hydration is always a threat, so surface evaporative control agents and curing compounds are common on exterior concrete placements. Scheduling new exterior concrete work can be difficult, since concrete suppliers and installers are typically busy finishing as much work as possible before winter arrives. Taking the temperature of the concrete when it arrives at the jobsite is important to ensure it is not too cold and prone to freezing before curing. Extreme temperatures are rare. Mix Designs: Standard mix designs are the norm. Hydration stabilizers and water reducers are commonly used to extend the working life of the concrete without affecting performance. Climate (October - November): Fall temperatures can still be quite hot, with high humidity. Because temperatures below 40 F for prolonged periods can affect concrete strength, cold-weather concreting practices are the norm for exterior pours in the winter, even though temperatures may never get cold enough for a hard freeze. With the high heat and oppressive humidity, placement and curing of concrete may require extreme measures. During dry Santa Ana wind conditions, make sure to follow proper curing practices to avoid rapid hydration and shrinkage cracking of the concrete surface. Summer temperatures rise to the upper 90s and can exceed 100 F for long periods. Temperatures are cool and conditions can be wet. While the high deserts encompass a much bigger geographical footprint, the coastal areas contain the major population centers. The use of ice in mix water is also common to cool the concrete during transport. Placement and Curing Practices: Hot-weather concreting practices are the norm in the summer months. Most exterior concrete work takes place during the summer in the high-mountain region. Temperatures can swing drastically, with 30 F to 40 F changes in a 24-hour period not uncommon. Typically concrete joints should be cut in less than a day, but the specific timing depends on numerous factors, including local conditions, weather and concrete … Special Equipment: Pouring exterior concrete in the high plains regions in winter typically requires no additional or special equipment. Straight concrete mixes can also be used, as they tend to set faster than hybrid mixes. Mix Designs: Reference High Plains Winter. Regions of high elevation (above 7,000 feet), Copyright 1999-2021 ConcreteNetwork.com - None of this site may be reproduced without written permission. Using hot water to increase concrete temperature is a common winter practice. Climate (June - August): Mild temperatures are the norm for this entire region. Climate (June - August): Hot, humid summers are the norm for this entire region. Whenever pouring concrete, you want it to last for many years to come. Air entrainment should be mandatory in all exterior concrete placed in this region. Proper mix design, placement, and curing are crucial for long-term concrete durability. Lower-elevation river valleys in the region may see significantly less snow and milder temperatures, allowing for more favorable exterior concreting conditions. This video shows you how to pour concrete in water. Since the ground freezes hard, using ground heaters to thaw the ground may be necessary for winter pours. However, if the correct measures are taken, concrete can still be successfully placed during even the coldest months of the year… Plastic sheeting, surface evaporative control agents, and curing compounds should be available on all exterior pours in the spring. The use of curing compounds and cure-and-seal chemicals is commonplace for most exterior pours. Air-entrainment admixtures should be mandatory in all exterior concrete placed in this region. Most exterior concrete work takes place during the summer in this region. In most areas of this region, summer can be the most demanding time of year to pour exterior concrete. Climate Overview: If you wait for clear days and dry weather to pour exterior concrete in the Pacific Northwest, you may be idle for a long time. Mix Designs: Standard mix designs are the norm. This entire region is vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes during the hurricane season, which runs from June through November. The ground freezes hard in most areas in the Northeast. Straight cement mixes are also used to aid in a faster set time. Climate Overview:This region has four very distinct seasons. High-intensity sunshine with very low humidity is the norm. Mix Designs: Hydration stabilizers and water reducers are commonly used to extend the working life of the concrete without affecting performance. Mix Designs: Standard mix designs are the norm. Most rain occurs along the coast. Climate (June - August): Hot days and cool nights are the norm for high plains summers. Eliminating accelerators and adding fly ash to mixes is normal as the temperatures start to increase. Day time temperatures are mild and range from 50 F to 70 F. The higher elevation areas of Northern Arizona and New Mexico can see periods of cold weather, but typically they do not last for more than a week, with abundant sun shine right behind. The farther north you go, the more severe the winters. States Included: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky. The threat of snow and freezing temperatures is usually gone by mid-April, but rain is always a consideration. Placement and Curing Practices: Cold-weather concreting practices are mandatory for all exterior concrete placed in this region during the winter. Extremely hot temperatures are rare. Placement and Curing Practices: With the high humidity of this region, wet curing of concrete is common practice. Exterior concrete work takes place year-round in the southern areas, but is uncommon in the northern areas of this region. The ready-mix supplier should be consulted far in advance of the concrete pour, since some states have road restrictions limiting vehicle weights allowed on the roads, which may create a logistical issue in delivering concrete. 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