How to Make Concrete Dry Faster in Cold Weather
- 1). Choose an accelerator for your concrete mixture. An accelerator is an additive designed specifically to speed up the concrete drying process. Calcium chloride is the most common accelerator, but should be avoided when using pre-stressed concrete or when metal reinforcement in the concrete could be corroded by the calcium chloride. Whatever type of accelerator you choose should conform to the ASTM C 494 -- Type C and Type E standards for concrete accelerators.
- 2). Mix the accelerator into the concrete mixture per the manufacturer's directions. Pay particular attention to dosage instructions. Calcium chloride additions to concrete mixture should generally never exceed 2 percent of the total weight of cement you are using.
- 3). Protect the concrete from cold weather as it cures and dries. An accelerator is essential for pouring concrete in cold weather, but accelerators do not prevent the concrete from freezing. Concrete needs to be kept at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher until it is fully cured, so use insulating blankets, heaters, insulated forms, loose straw or similar material placed between the concrete and a waterproof cover such as polyethylene to keep the concrete safely warm as it dries.