Pouring Foundations in Winter

For one reason or another a builder or homeowner may find him or herself pouring a foundation in winter. Pouring concrete foundations in winter can be a risky venture. If not done without taking the necessary precautions, or if the temperature is just simply too cold, there is a risk that the concrete may freeze prior to it curing. If this happens the foundation walls could be severely and permanently compromised in strength. In addition, the concrete may experience cracking or spalling, where the concrete literally splits, flakes or show signs of pitting.

So why does the concrete run the risk of experiencing these types of problems when pouring foundations in winter?

The answer to this question is in the curing process itself of concrete. Concrete both needs and produces heat to properly cure. If the ambient air temperature is so cold that it too rapidly draws the heat out of the concrete while it is curing, the concrete may not set up properly and the water in the concrete could actually freeze. As a result, the foundation walls could be dramatically weakened and possibly exhibit cracks and spalling.

For maximum strength and reduced risk of cracks and spalling, foundation contractors prefer to pour concrete when the temperature is expected to be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 consecutive days.

Years ago when I built my vacation home in central New Hampshire we were forced into pouring foundation walls in winter. It was January and the temperatures fluctuated between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for days. Finally we had a window of warmer weather, the January thaw if you will, and poured the foundation walls. In addition to waiting for mildly warmer weather, our foundation contractor also took additional precautions including mixing in some calcium chloride into the concrete, and insulating the walls with hay after pouring the concrete to help keep the heat in, slow the curing process and prevent freezing.

He also asked the concrete plant to heat the concrete prior to delivering it to our site. Fortunately our foundation is still crack free, but suffice it to say, it was a nervous phase during the construction of our home.

In regards to the use of calcium chloride in concrete, our foundation contractor used about a 2:100 ratio of calcium chloride to concrete. The calcium chloride lowers the freezing temperature of water and thus helps to prevent the water in the concrete from freezing, which enables the concrete to have sufficient time to cure properly.

Photo By Mark Donovan