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Hot Weather Concreting: How to Avoid the Problems that it Presents

The Perils of Concreting During
Hot Weather And How To Avoid Them

Hot weather concrete pouring can cause a myriad of problems. Many people think it is just about the heat itself but there is more to it than that. Many factors affect the quality and success of concreting during hot weather conditions. Hot weather, as defined by ACI 305R is any combination of the following:

  • High ambient temperature above 90 degrees
  • High concrete temperature
  • Low relative humidity
  • High wind speed
  • Solar radiation

The heat is not the problem as concrete cures through hydration and not temperature. However, when the concrete becomes hotter than 77 degrees, it speeds up the hydration timing. If the concrete isn’t hydrated properly, it will be weak, crack easily and be more susceptible to damage from freezing and thawing. Construction crews must prepare for hot weather concrete placement.

Ways to Prepare for Pouring Concrete in “Hot Weather”

  • Crews should avoid pouring the concrete during the hottest part of the day. Tracking hour by hour temps can assist with this determination. It is also wise to avoid extreme temperature changes. Pouring concrete on a hot day when followed by a cool night can cause thermal cracking to ensue.
  • A team of workers should be available to ensure that the work is finished quickly and efficiently. Truck delivery should occur early in the day and a group of laborers ready to start immediately. Check for any potential delays so that the task will be completed in a timely manner.
  • Sunshades, windbreaks or mist fogging can be used to protect and slow down the process of the concrete curing too quickly.
  • Extended set additive, moderate heat cement and blended cements can provide solutions to pouring concrete in difficult conditions.
  • Keeping concrete in the shade before pouring or using an evaporative retarder may help as well.
  • Once the water is added to the mix, reduce the mixing time.
  • Ice or cold water can be added to the mixture to cool down the concrete. Cold water can reduce the heat of the concrete by about 10 degrees and ice by approximately 20 degrees.
  • If a slab is being poured, putting cool water on the sub-grade is another neat trick.
  • Control-joints can be spaced closer together to aid in strengthening.
  • Steel Fiber Concrete can be used to make slabs to add after walls and roofs are built out. Adding steel fiber to concrete has advantages and disadvantages so do your homework before choosing this method.
  • Extreme weather conditions may require the infusion of liquid nitrogen into the mixers. This solution can be costly as there are concerns about damage to blades and precautions must be taken.
  • There are several curing methods that can be used. Understanding these methods directly impacts how successful your curing process is.  Concrete companies will want to have a plan ahead of time as to the correct method for each individual situation and to follow through with recommended procedures.

Setting concrete in difficult situations is a complicated process. However, with a little research and a lot of preparation, a concrete job can have favorable results.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • 0 Comments

7 Advantages of Choosing a Concrete Parking Lot for your Business

Don’t underestimate the value of a great parking lot to your business. From prospective clients to potential employees, your parking lot is a big part of the first impression your building makes. Obviously, you want that impression to be a good one. An adequate number of spaces is just the beginning. The parking lot should also be a safe environment for guests.

Asphalt is a popular car park material. It is inexpensive and quick to install. Smart business owners think long-term, however. More and more companies are choosing a concrete parking lot instead. Here are seven reasons to consider a concrete parking lot, even if the bid is a little higher:

 

1. Stronger

Concrete is far more durable than asphalt. It keeps its form without buckling even under the weight of heavy traffic and heavier vehicles. If you expect high traffic or visits from a lot of trucks, concrete is the material that can take the beating.

 

2. Longer-Lasting

As a business owner, you have a keen eye to “return on investment.” A lower price tag is not a great value if the product has to be replaced in half the time or less than the pricier option. In this case, concrete lasts far longer than asphalt, making it a better investment long-term.

 

3. Better-Looking

Don’t forget that crucial first impression. Even a basic concrete parking lot typically looks better than its asphalt cousins. Better yet, concrete can be textured, colored, and decorated to create a unique, appealing aesthetic customized to your business.

 

4. Better for the Environment

Most of the materials in concrete are natural and chemical-free. “Sustainable concrete,” which contributes to a stable rainwater cycle, is available as well. In the summer heat, asphalt parking lots soften and seep oils and chemicals, becoming unpleasant and unsafe to walk on. A concrete parking lot absorbs less heat, which keeps the office park from turning into a “heat island” that damages the local flora and fauna.

 

5. Low-Maintenance

Asphalt requires annual service and preventative maintenance. Concrete parking lots need service far less frequently. If you have enough to keep you busy at your company without having to schedule service calls every year, a concrete parking lot is the way to go.

 

6. Better Lighting

Asphalt is black or dark gray because it absorbs more light than it reflects. In contrast, concrete reflects three times as much light as asphalt. This reflected light reduces the amount of electric light required to keep the parking lot well-lit. A well-lit parking lot is crucial for safety, as it deters crime. Easy lighting also reduces electric bills.

 

7. Long-Term Cost Savings

Lower utility bills. Less maintenance. Longer lasting. You can probably see a pattern emerging. Yes, the initial installation cost can be higher and more time-consuming. Over the long term, however, the costs associated with a concrete parking lot can actually be a lot lower than an asphalt one, in terms of both cash and time expenditure.

 

 

Installing or replacing a parking lot is a critical investment in the life of a business. Remember, the best solution isn’t always the least pricey solution. From eco-friendliness to cost savings, consider the long-term advantages of a concrete parking lot.

 

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • 0 Comments

Repair Denver’s Harsh Winter Damage with Asphalt Repair

People from Colorado will undoubtedly tell you that while winters in the Rocky Mountains are no-nonsense, winter in Denver gets terrible. Even though the snow is considerable, the comparatively moderate winter is excellent for outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, and other outdoor recreation. Spring skiing and fuzzy snow aside, winter weather does not have to be much harsh to cause asphalt damage.

Moisture and cold can cause damage to concrete and asphalt structures – if you take long to safeguard your asphalt, it will get harder to repair it. Thankfully, several Colorado asphalt repair professionals can help you in protecting your asphalt from the harsh winter damage.

How Does Extreme Weather Affect Asphalt?

Asphalt is prone to the impacts of water damage resulting from extreme weather conditions, which means tons of snow and freezing temperatures in Denver. Luckily, with preventive measures and routine maintenance from Denver asphalt repair professionals, you can make sure that your asphalt remains strong as the mountain rocks.

Effects of Cold & Moisture on Asphalt

When water from ice and snow filter through the porous surface of your asphalt, it gradually erodes the structural purity of the asphalt. However, the actual damage happens when the outside temperatures go below the freezing point. When water freezes, it expands. The moisture contained in asphalt only requires a single freezing day to crack due to the strain of the expanding ice and water.

Effects of UV Rays on Asphalt

Denver city is one mile high, and that means that asphalt in Denver is nearer to the sun and the destructive effects associated with it. UV rays accelerate the rate of surface degradation, which forms small waves and soft spots across the surface of your asphalt.

Daily use and UV rays make the components that join asphalt together weak, which might lead to the fading of the black color of asphalt into a dull gray. Sealcoating cracks are the best method of protecting your asphalt from UV rays and heat whenever damage occurs and routine preventive maintenance.

How to Prevent and Repair Erosion & Damage

With some advice about paving and preventive maintenance from professionals, you can protect your asphalt from the harsh winter weather damage effects.

Repairing Storm Basins

Storm basins are constructed to hold and restrain water from the surface of your asphalt before accumulating to cause damage. But, it is not unusual for runoff from snow and a torrential downpour to move the storm basin from its designated position.

If you see water accumulating in places, it shouldn’t be or cracks in your storm basin, contact a Denver Asphalt repair professional right away. Remember that an inch of water can cause damage to thousands of dollars.

Sealcoating

It is a method used to protect asphalt from gas and oil spills. Sealcoating also prevents the spread of cracks, thus enhancing the artistic taste of the asphalt surface and increasing the durability of the asphalt construction.

Crack Sealing

Crack sealing your asphalt increases the durability of your structure by preventing debris and water from accumulating in the cracks on the surface of your asphalt.

Protect Your Asphalt from Harsh Winter Damage

Hiring professional paving contractors in Denver is the best way to protect your asphalt from the damaging effects of the harsh winter weather. From big business projects to basic repair and maintenance, they provide the best paving solutions in Denver. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from an expert if you notice any asphalt damage to your structure.

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What is the Typical Life Cycle of an Asphalt Parking Lot?

No matter how sturdily a structure is laid, it will eventually reach a time when it will require maintenance or replacement. The period it takes before reaching such an instant defines a structure’s lifecycle. Asphalt parking is one such structure, and if you own one, then you need to keep updated on essential aspects that define its lifecycle.

Various factors affect the lifecycle of an Asphalt parking lot. Environmental conditions, design and construction elements, water drainage means, frequency of maintenance, and significant of all, traffic load, are some of the critical aspects to the lifecycle of an Asphalt parking lot.

In this article, we shall focus specifically on the lifecycle of an asphalt parking lot as well as factors signifying a need for maintenance or replacement.

Asphalt Parking Lot’s Life Cycle

In overall, a standard asphalt parking lot can last for up to 25 years. However, this period can reduce or increase depending on asphalt maintenance regularity. But what happens during this lasting period?

Well, let’s have a look.

0 to 5 years: For the first five years since construction, your asphalt parking is still strong and probably shows little or no signs of damage. If anything, the surface might have insignificantly deformed while color discoloration might be visible, especially if it is extensively exposed to sunlight.

5 to 7 years: During this period, your parking lot starts experiencing minor cracks, thereby necessitating for maintenance services. Practices such as crack-sealing and seal-coating are necessary at this stage.

7 to 15 years: With proper maintenance practices during the previous phase, your parking might not undergo significant damages for the next 15 years. However, you should continually check for damages while ensuring necessary maintenance practices for prolonged endurance.

15 to 25 years: After 15 years of use, you should expect your Asphalt parking lot to have started developing visible cracks as well as considerable deformation. If such damages are significant, you might need to resurface your parking lot.

Over 25 years: beyond 25 years signifies the end of the parking’s life cycle. During this stage, it has undergone extensive damages and probably multiple repairs, which means it might no longer withhold the weight of your vehicle. If more repairs seem to be of no help, then you can reconstruct the entire structure.

Maintenance Practices Timing

Maintenance involves various activities including crack-sealing, seal-coating, and resurfacing, all which should be timely carried out. But how do you determine the best time for every maintenance practice?

Crack Sealing

Filling of small cracks in your parking lot should be done using a liquid concrete filler. Cracks to seal should be small, not exceeding half an inch in terms of width. You should schedule a crack sealing exercise every year to extend the lifecycle of your asphalt parking.

Seal coating

As one of the concrete maintenance activities, seal coating is meant to reduce concrete exposure from the effects of sunlight, spillages, water, and air oxidizers. Seal coating should be best carried out immediately after the crack sealing process or any other time beyond six months when damages start revealing.

Resurfacing

Extensive damages might eventually necessitate for resurfacing process. It involves adding a new asphalt layer on top of the existing one, a process also referred to as overlaying. This process should only happen after a decade of parking construction. You should also initiate it during favorable weather conditions, preferably during warm seasons.

Final Thoughts

Since timely maintenance is essential for your asphalt parking lot, you need to be observant on the emergence of an issue. If conditions such as cracks are unattended to, they may continually weaken the surface leading to a reduced timeline. Moreover, you should act on any issue you identify as soon as possible.

 

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Common Concrete Issues

Concrete is a common material used due to its durability and versatility. Under the right conditions, it is a sustainable material. But, there are numerous common concrete problems, which can prevent concrete from attaining its longevity. Recognizing these problems and understanding the solutions can improve the overall performance of concrete. The common concrete problems include dusting, blistering, plastic shrinkage cracking, discoloration, and scaling.

Dusting

Dusting on concrete occurs when a hardened concrete surface appears as a powdery material. Laitance, which is a layer of cement, water, and fine aggregates is the primary reason why dusting occurs on concrete. The laitance layer is weak, porous, and thin. As a result, the laitance makes the hardened concrete surface vulnerable and weak.

Other reasons why dusting appears include improper cure of the concrete surface, exposing the concrete to carbon dioxide while it is in a plastic state, and conducting finish operation on the concrete surface while it still has bleed water—this is water that separates itself from the concrete.

To avoid these problems, proper concrete curing procedures should always be followed; equipment that produces carbon dioxide should always be vented while the surface is in the plastic state, and the finishing operation should always be conducted on the concrete surface after bleed water has been removed.

Blistering

Blistering appears on a hardened or fresh concrete surface as bumps. These blisters occur when bleeding water or entrapped air rises to the sealed concrete surface. Blistering of concrete surfaces is problematic, as it causes the concrete to break easily under stresses like traffic. Other reasons why blistering occurs include excessive or inadequate use of vibration during concrete compaction, setting concrete surfaces over the vapor barrier, and sealing the concrete surface early.

To prevent blistering from occurring, appropriate concrete compaction procedures have to be followed, if possible, concrete should not be placed over vapor barriers, and trowel blades must be kept flat at all times to avoid sealing the concrete surface early.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs when a crack appears on fresh, hardened concrete surfaces. Like the name suggests, these cracks develop while the surface is still in the plastic state. These cracks occur when the concrete surface experiences a rapid loss of water before it sets. Although plastic shrinkage cracking is an aesthetics issue and not a structural issue, these cracks end up allowing chemicals to penetrate the surface, and this can result in structural problems later on.

The loss of water on concrete surfaces can occur due to several reasons like low relative humidity, high winds, and high concrete temperature or ambient air. To avoid these conditions, ensure you use fog spraying equipment, windscreens and windbreaks should be installed, and always avoid placing concrete at midday.

Discoloration

Discoloration of concrete can occur due to various reasons like material exposure, weather conditions, and even the curing time. Although concrete discoloration may look aesthetically unpleasing, there are numerous ways you can repair these issues. The first method is using a concrete cleaner. These will help give the concrete a better and natural look. If that does not work, you consider using a concrete stain.

Scaling

Scaling on concrete surfaces occurs when the surfaces start to chip or flake away. This is usually because of freeze-thaw, water seepage, poor concrete finishing, or weak concrete surfaces. To repair scaling issues, use trowel-grade light coat, as it helps fill the scaled area. Also, ensure that you seal your concrete at all times, as this helps to reduce scaling significantly.