How Do Concrete Curing Blankets Work?
How Do Concrete Curing Blankets Work?
Concrete blankets not only keep the temperature above 40 degrees, but they also keep moisture in. Moisture is an essential component in the curing process. It is required to avoid fractures and quick drying. Working with concrete in excessively hot and dry weather is equally as difficult as it is in cold weather.
Masons will spray water on the concrete’s surface to keep it wet while it’s heated. The concrete must dry out, but it must do so gradually. Rapid drying isn’t as severe as freezing, but it’s still a significant issue.
In frigid areas, both issues might occur simultaneously. Many of the frigid regions are also quite dry. When water evaporates from the surface, it has the potential to freeze as soon as it enters the air. So, how do you keep the surface of the concrete moist? Using a concrete blanket.
Curing blankets not only keep you warm but also keep moisture where you want it. Moisture is sealed in by the blanket and retained on the surface while the concrete evaporates.
Are Concrete Curing Blankets Waterproof?
Yes, concrete blankets are also waterproof, which is a frequent attribute. The outside covering is constructed of polyethylene, a durable substance. It has the feel of a hefty tarp.
The inside is comprised of watertight polypropylene foam insulation. If water gets past the outer shell, it will not go into the inside foam.
Moisture control is a critical component in concrete curing. Moisture that you don’t want must be kept out, while moisture that you do want must be kept in. A watertight vapor barrier is an excellent choice.
In colder areas, remember that snow is not just a nuisance. It is also an enemy of concrete. Snow on the ground could turn into an enormous layer of ice, which can be even worse than snowfall.
You should avoid walking on the concrete until it has completely hardened, which is several days after it’s poured. Perhaps more important than anything else right now, you must avoid driving on the concrete.
What Are The Types Of Concrete Blankets?
Builders have been using creative methods to keep concrete warm as it cures for centuries. Previously, bushels of straw or hay were heaped on concrete once they had cured and could sustain the weight. Nowadays, however, we employ insulation in the shape of a blanket. There are three kinds of curing blankets.
Electric Blankets.
Electric blankets function exactly like the ones you’d find in your own house. Electric blankets actually heat the concrete underneath, rather than just providing insulation to keep heat in and cold out. Electric blankets feature wire coils that heat up when they are energized. This is in addition to the insulation they provide.
When the blanket’s insulation is insufficient to keep the concrete warm, plug in the blanket to generate extra heat. These are frequently utilized in severely low climates where insulation is insufficient.
They can also be employed when more heat is required than the concrete itself can supply. Remember that in really cold areas, the earth is likewise quite cold.
Because there is no way to keep the cold ground from touching your concrete and stealing its heat, you may compensate for the heat loss by powering the blanket.
Insulation Blankets.
These are usually constructed with a polyethylene outer shell that protects the inside polypropylene foam insulation. Both layers are water-resistant and contribute to the concrete’s dryness.
The other layer has the texture of a waterproof plastic tarp with foam within. Water resistance not only keeps rain and snow out, but it also keeps moisture at the concrete surface where you want it.
Wet Cure Blankets
A wet cure blanket is another sort of concrete blanket that we rarely utilize. These are not well-insulated and are not normally utilized in extremely cold locations.
However, they perform admirably in dry environments. You can dampen down your concrete and cover it with a wet cure blanket if it is drying too rapidly. The blanket will trap moisture and slow the drying process.
