Whether you’re a homeowner creating a driveway or contractor pouring a foundation, making sure the ready mix concrete cures correctly is paramount. Improper curing can cause the concrete to crack, buckle, and present structural problems in the future. During your next job, use the strategies below to ensure the strongest surface.

How Should You Cure Concrete in Winter?

1. Use Insulating Blankets

Insulating blankets help concrete stay above 40 degrees, which is the desired level for curing. Anything lower than this slows the curing reaction for ready mix concrete, potentially halting the process entirely and leaving a liquid mixture. If temperatures dip below freezing, water in the concrete may freeze and split the material as it hardens.

However, laying insulating blankets over the surface will trap heat inside so that you can monitor the temperature with a heat gun. If the temperature exceeds 70 degrees, remove some of the blankets, as the concrete can experience thermal reactions that stress and weaken the structure.

2. Leave Forms Up

While forms are necessary to maintain the desired shape of the concrete structure, they also help during the curing process. Ready mix concrete will cure best in warm temperatures, and the forms help retain heat along the sides. This barrier also exposes less of the concrete to the cold and prevents it from drying out.

3. Add a Curing Compound

Ready mix concrete needs to remain between 40-70 degrees for 48 hours. If you cannot monitor the temperature overnight, consider adding a curing compound to the mixture before you pour it. These additives form a membrane that holds in moisture, preventing the concrete from drying out. Water promotes chemical reactions that improve the concrete’s hardness, so ask your ready mix concrete supplier about their preferred curing compounds.

If you need ready mix concrete for a DIY project or commercial job, turn to Schreiter Ready Mix & Materials in O’Fallon, MO. This supplier offers high-quality products and concrete delivery services. They also stock decorative concrete and retaining wall materials, which you can learn about online. Call (636) 240-2600 to place an order.