It's 7 a.m. in the middle of January. The thermometer reads -15°C, the sky is barely light, and a concrete truck is backing up to a one of our home builds. Someone walking a dog stops and watches, confused. Isn't it too cold for that?
It's one of the most common questions we hear once the snow starts falling. Most people believe concrete work stops when winter arrives. In Alberta, it doesn't.
The part of the myth that's true
Concrete doesn't dry the way paint does. It cures through a chemical reaction between cement and water, and that reaction needs warmth. If fresh concrete freezes before it has gained enough strength, it can be permanently weakened.
So the concern isn't wrong. Cold really is concrete's enemy. And typically we won’t pour concrete beyond -15C. There are certain risks as the temperature drops below this point, and so we’re happy to let one of Alberta’s Chinook winds blow in and re-mobilize.
How winter concrete is done right
- Thaw the ground first. Concrete is never poured on frozen ground. Ground heaters and insulated blankets thaw the soil ahead of the pour.
- Start warm. The concrete plant heats the water and materials, so the mix leaves the truck warm.
- Adjust the mix. Admixtures can speed up curing so the concrete gains strength sooner.
- Hold the heat in. After the pour, the concrete is covered with insulated blankets or enclosed in heated hoarding. The curing reaction also produces its own heat, and the covering holds it in.
- Monitor it. Temperatures are checked through the curing period until the concrete is strong enough to handle the cold on its own.
It takes more planning, more equipment, and more attention than a summer pour. Done right, a foundation poured in January can be every bit as strong as one poured in July.
Why this matters to you
Your foundation is the one part of your home you'll never see again once the build moves on, and it's the part everything else depends on. The standard for it can't change with the weather.
It also means your plans don't have to wait for the thaw. If you're thinking about building, the months ahead are a great time to choose your lot, finalize your design, and get your project moving, while others are still waiting for spring.
Let's talk about your build
Have questions about building through the winter, or about when your project could start? Reach out to our team. We're happy to walk you through the timeline.
Winter comes every year in Alberta. We're ready for it.
RAVN Homes. Built to Be Remembered.