What Are Concrete Blankets?
Concrete is a widely used material in any of the construction fields. Cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregates, water are basically the components of concrete.
All the ingredients are mixed and reaction takes place between cement and water, so after placing of concrete proper curing needs to be done for 28 days, to attain the proper strength of concrete.
In cold weather concreting their occurs delay in setting and hardening, freezing of concrete occurs in early state, to prevent all these and help concrete attain its strength properly in proper time for curing in cold countries concrete curing blankets are used.
Concrete blankets are like its sound, insulated blankets are used to warm curing concrete. It locks the inside heat of concrete and separates the cold outside.
That is the reason they are also known as curing blankets. Most are just a thick insulated blanket whereas some mechanism has heaters inside them build in.
How to Use a Concrete Blanket?
Using a concrete blanket is quite simple. It is just laid on top of the concrete. One layer of them will be enough to cover the entire surface of area for trapping the heat during the critical hours.
Time is taken to make sure that the blankets are flat, with seems covered and doing all these will prevent the concrete from collapsing. At the starting evaluating the temperature of concrete and the weather is done.
Try to pour concrete on a warmish sunny day. For various concrete jobs in an extreme cold day, it may be required to warm up the ground first. Electric powered blankets will be beneficial for these times.
The amount of insulation required needs to be found out, many times more blankets is used around the edges & corners. Thicker blankets or stacking process can be used for this.
Proper sized blanket must be used so that it covers the whole surface perfectly, without keeping any gap.
Curing Blankets Lock in Moisture
Concrete blanket not only maintains the temperature of concrete above 40 degrees, but at the same time lock in moisture. Moisture plays a crucial role in curing process. So, lock in of moisture will be veryessential.
In cold climate freezing of concrete, fast drying can occur simultaneously. Concrete blanket will help in locking of moisture and keep the surface moisty and avoid the problems.
While the concrete evaporates, blankets will lock the moisture and will be kept on the surface.
Also Read: All About Concrete for Sidewalks | Concrete for Sidewalks | What Concrete to Use for the Sidewalk
Concrete Blankets Are Waterproof
Concrete blankets are generally waterproof in nature, since the outer surface is manufactured by using polyethylene fabric, that will make it feel like heavy weight trap for water.
The inner portion is manufactured from polypropylene foam, which will provide a double check to the accidental water entering from the outer shell.
Blankets are made waterproof since, extra moisture is not beneficial for the concrete, so moisture which is not essential for the concrete is cut off with blankets.
Types of Concrete Blankets
Curing blankets mainly come in two types-
Electric Blankets:
Electric Blankets work similarly to the type one would use in their home. In place of just simply insulating the surface to trap the heat, they heat the concrete below with the help of wire coils.
The wire coils running through the blanket heat up when they are electrified, it is an addition to insulation, when insulation will not be enough to keep the concrete warm, blanket will be plugged in for producing additional required heat.
They are mostly used in extremely cold temperatures, since there is no way to resist the cold earth from touching the concrete. Insulation will not be enough in that case. Adding more heat along with insulation will give compensation to extra lost heat.
Insulation Blankets:
These blankets only tap the heat and moisture by insulation process only. These blankets are made up of polyethylene outer shell, which will be protecting the inner polypropylene insulation foam.
The waterproof layers will help in keeping the extra outside moisture from entering and the insulating effect will help in preventing the escape of essential or required inside moisture.
Wet Cure Blankets:
This is another type of concrete quite rarely used. These blankets do not provide heavy insulation, nor are they used in very cold climates.
These blankets are used when your blankets are drying out very fast, it can be used to wet the concrete, then lock the total moisture inside the concrete and cut off fast drying.
Benefits of Using Concrete Blankets
Concrete is a material which is easily affected by the environment, too cold environment can create various problems like freezing, thawing, quick drying while curing and the concrete will not be able to attain total strength, so blankets if used will help overcome the problem and help gaining total strength, in cold weather.
Concrete blankets are available in variety of sizes and R-values. Many blankets get themselves heated up, so if extra heat is required in extremely cold climates, these types of blankets can be used to counteract the heat loss in extreme weathers.
Blankets are very useful as they are easily transportable, they can be re-used so become cost effective. Concrete blankets can be used to alter the natural curing rate of concrete.
Concrete blankets are durable for long run. Concrete blankets can be used quite easily just by keeping some points in mind.
Other Uses for Concrete Blankets
In addition to curing concrete, curing blankets are also used for maintaining ground temperature as well as other building materials such as stones & brick.
Concrete pouring over a frozen subgrade or ground is not a good idea. Now when concrete will be poured it will start freezing rapidly and might freeze.
Any frozen water can be caught within the ground to let it expand and lead to an uneven surface. So, few days before concrete is poured, concrete blanket is laid to control the temperature.
Before excavation concrete blankets can be used to make the cold ground perfect for excavating. Since, the top surface of cold grounds become difficult for machines to excavate also sometimes.
Cement is used for binding brick and stone together. Cement will not be able to bind them if the cement is way too cold, so blanketscan be useful here also to maintain the temperature.
Waters can also be prevented from freezing inside the pipe in cold weathers by laying heated blankets over the pipes.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ):
What Are Concrete Curing Blankets Used For?
Concrete blankets are highly effective at keeping concrete warm during its curing process because they’re made with resilient polyethylene fabrics and foams that offer exceptional insulation and durability, two essential traits for any materials that need to survive and perform in harsh and cold climates.
What Temperature Is Too Cold for Concrete?
When temperatures dip below 40 °F, the chemical reactions that strengthen concrete slow down and can lead to weaker concrete. If concrete curing temperatures are below freezing, the water inside the concrete can freeze and expand, resulting in cracks.
What Temperature Is Too Cold to Pour Concrete?
Experts agree that the best temperature to pour concrete is between 50-60 °F. The necessary chemical reactions that set and strengthen concrete slow significantly below 50 °F and are almost non-existent below 40 °F.
How Long Does 4 Inches of Concrete Take to Cure?
The general rule of thumb is that concrete takes about 28 days to dry for every inch of slab thickness.
How Long Should You Keep Concrete Covered?
Apply covering only after you have wet your concrete thoroughly. Use heavy items such as bricks or rocks to hold the cover in place. Adding moisture is still really important, so make sure you are removing the cover every day to hose down the concrete slab. You will need to do this every day for 7 days.
What Happens If You Don’t Water Concrete?
Concrete that is not moist-cured at all dries too rapidly, and reaches less than half its potential design strength. It will also have a greater number of shrinkage cracks.
What Are Concrete Blankets?
Concrete curing blankets help to maintain heat of hydration during early stages of concrete curing and protect from colder temperatures. Curing blankets also work for ground and scaffolding covers.
Concrete Blanket Alternative
If blankets alone aren’t enough to keep the slab warm (or the walls for formed concrete) then you can use hydronic heating pipes or electric heating blankets laid on top of the slab and insulated.
Concrete Blanket R Value
High quality 6 mil poly skins that create an R-Value of 6.02. This durable skin is woven with reinforced poly that has a black top surface and silver bottom. The blankets have a closed cell foam, bubble and a reflective layer that provides insulation between the poly skins.
How Long Does Concrete Need to Cure Before Freezing?
In no case should concrete be allowed to freeze during the first 24 hours after it has been placed. Since cement hydration is an exothermic reaction, the concrete mixture produces some heat on its own.
How Long Should You Leave Concrete Blankets On?
After Lay and Finish is Completed, and Bleed Water has Evaporated, Cover the Concrete with Insulated Curing Blankets to Stabilize at the Constant Optimal Temperature. After about 72 Hours, Remove the Thermal Concrete Blankets and Allow the Slats to Air Dry.
What Are Concrete Blankets Used For?
Concrete blankets are incredibly effective at keeping the material warm during its curing process. In fact, these blankets can keep concrete at an ideal temperature even when the weather drops below 20°F. And since the setting process occurs so quickly, you’ll usually only need to rent one out for a couple of days.
Like this post? Share it with your friends!
- All About Table Shower | What Is A Table Shower | What Happens During A Table Shower
- All About Concrete for Sidewalks | Concrete for Sidewalks | What Concrete to Use for the Sidewalk
- All About Waterproof Plywood | How To Waterproof Plywood | Is Plywood Waterproof | Why Is Plywood Vulnerable To Water
- All About Detached Garage | Does A Detached Garage Increase Home Value | What Is A Detached Garage | How does A Detached Garage add Home Value
- All About Thick Steak | How to Grill a 2-Inch-Thick Steak | How to Cook 2-Inch-Thick Steak on the Grill | How to Cook a 2-Inch-Thick Steak with a Skillet and Oven Finish
Leave a Reply