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Slab exposed for the winter question

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FltEngCPO

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Joined
Mar 25, 2011
Messages
156
Location
Moore, Oklahoma
I had a monolithic slab poured in August and have not been able to get going on framing and am afraid that I may not be able to get to it before winter. Can anybody tell me if I need to be concerned about the slab over the winter? Not that we get too much snow here in Oklahoma City, but I do have some plumbing stubs exposed and wonder if I need to find a way to cover this 30' x 40' slab or make time to frame it before winter. Thanks for your input in advance.
 
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Charles (in GA)

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Jan 11, 2006
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50 mi south of Atlanta
Have you put any kind of curing sealer on it? If it is bare slick finish water may get into the surface and freeze and break off the "cream" finish. I had a set of cast concrete steps that I installed summer of '10 and last winter they chipped and flaked when we had a long below freezing spell, apparently from water under the surface. Should have sealed them.

Charles
 
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F

FltEngCPO

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Mar 25, 2011
Messages
156
Location
Moore, Oklahoma
It is sealed, but it also has some very small spiderweb cracks from the heat when it was poured. We sealed it as soon as we could and I kept a sprinkler on it almost 24/7 for 5 days and it still had a few tiny cracks. I'm thinking I should get another coat of sealant on it. I'm more concerned about moisture getting around the plumbing stubs since some are wrapped with foam insulation and are sandy rear them.
 
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ConCretin

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Jan 20, 2011
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Central Maine
Concrete that will be exposed to freeze/thaw conditions is typically air entrained. Garage slabs usually aren't because putting a steel trowel finish on air entrained concrete creates a whole different set of problems.

I'm not familiar with the weather conditions in Oklahoma, but there is some risk to leaving the slab exposed depending on the quality of the finish. With that said, I don't think one winter is likely to cause major problems.
 
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ConCretin

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Central Maine
Your 'spider web' cracking is probably the result of crusting - where sun and wind dries the surface before the concrete underneath has set up enough to support the weight of the finishers. This can lead to delamination.

I'd definitely want a good quality sealer on the slab before exposing it to winter weather.
 
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jlckmj

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Dec 7, 2009
Messages
732
Location
SE Wiscosin
I have the same situation on my new slab.

I sent a PM to Scott from Legacy last night on this very subject.

Hopefully he will respond here also to let us know what is the best answer.

Jim
 
L

LegacyIndustrial

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Jun 7, 2010
Messages
7,994
Location
deerfield, IL
Gents: I would treat with a densifier. It will help prevent freeze/thaw damages.
You can always opt for something topical later on , if you choose.

Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/densifier-and-waterproofer-5-gal-p-118.html

Also, if you get it on when you pull your forms or are done finishing it will help prevent crazing (dry cracking) by slowing the release of water from the slab surface.

LLWilly's, I know you are a concrete maven. We just released some new pigments, dry color hardener and release agent. Take a look!! http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/concrete-stains-dyes-color-c-27.html
 
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