Replies

1. 
   plumb_bob | Nov 25, 2021 01:10pm | #1

   It will be more difficult and expensive, period. Access, snow clearing, thawing frozen ground, admixtures added to the concrete, insulating after the pour etc. etc.

   Not just the foundation work will be slower, but excavation for services, plumbing, framing will all be slowed by winter weather.

   If you can hold off until spring the project will progress in a more efficient manner.

2. Expert Member
   MALCOLM TAYLOR | Nov 25, 2021 03:53pm | #2

   Arnold,

   I'm with plumb-bob. The possibilities that real problems will occur are high. Leave it until spring.

3. 
   arnoldk | Nov 25, 2021 04:17pm | #3

   Thank you both for your point of view. We have been starting to lean that way and I am not sure how much I want to be framing in February at -10 to -25*C.

   Thank you,
   Arnold

4. Expert Member
   BILL WICHERS | Nov 25, 2021 06:28pm | #4

   Another vote here for waiting until spring. I have a similar project at work right now (a large generator pad for a commercial building), and it will soon be too cold for tenting alone to allow regular concrete mixes to cure. The low temperature concrete additives/mixes all have downsides, so I’d avoid using them unless you have no choice.

   The general rule is to only pour concrete in the winter if you absolutely have to. The same goes for excavation work. In the utility world we stop boring underground conduits too, since we have to excavate (“daylight”) around other utilities at every crossing and we have to “dig” with steam ($$!!)

   Bill

1. 
   arnoldk | Nov 26, 2021 07:47am | #5

   Thanks Bill. We are going to delay the house built until spring as much as that suck.

   My wife is still considering doing just the detached garage so we can make some progress but I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost and the headaches of having to pamper the site before and afte0r the concrete pour.

   Arnold