A concrete question (ME)

Mark Eatherton1

My partner can now sleep at night.

ME

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[Deleted User]

How long should concrete \"cure\" before applying heat?

My partner went to a Watts Heatway seminar the other day, and was advised to not flow heat to a concrete slab within 28 days of the time it's been poured.

Any one else have any knowledge or experience with this?

TIA

Mark Eatherton for Tom Olds (He's a great partner, but not internet active)

ME

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Dave_4

concrete spec....

...usually calls for a 28 day strength of x000 psi.....concrete surfaces shouldn't be
allowed to dry out from exposure to heat during the
initial curing period....

Wayco Wayne

One of my early jobs

I did with my brother, who's a home improvement contractor, we put 2 inches of concrete over an existing slab and 1/2 in pex. We were so excited we started the heat the day after. Came back next day and there was a crack everywhere the tubing was. We had to put some fancy epoxy coating/leveler over it so it wouldn't get worse. The tile guy walked when he saw it and wouldn't come back. My brother tiled it himself with mexican 10 inch ceramic tiles. Job is 8 years old and I saw it the other day. It's still gorgeous. I never heard how long you should wait but I say the longer the better. Although 28 days sounds extreme.

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hr

Depends on the mix

28 days has long been the "holy" number. These days concrete experts claim most mixes reach design strength in 7 days, according to Alan Sparkman, director of the Tennesse Ready Mix Concrete Association. He spoke at last years REX show and had lots of good radiant/ concrete advise.

Hard to believe you could overheat an outdoor slab at this time of the year in the mountains. Any admixes used. Calicum? Poured very dry? Is it covered as it cures?

They tell me the water of convience has to leave through the top, any covering or sealers will slow the process, and the cure rate.

Pouring over insulation or moisture barriers can aggrevate cracking.

Check with the batch yard for their advise also.

Happy melting!

hot rod

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John Jr

Heating during pour

I have had water running at 65-70 thru the system during pours to help the concrete from freezing. I use to be in the concrete business and had to give it up or give up walking(Bad back). Do not let the temps go over 70 degs for the first 28-30 days other wise you will get the cracks. The slower it cures the better.

When we use to pour in the summer and it was hot they had to add ice to the mix while in the truck just before we pouerd.

Hope this helps

John Jr