ᐅ Pouring a Concrete Slab – Risk of Overnight Frost?

Hello, our slab foundation will be poured starting mid-March (single-family house without a basement). While daytime temperatures are unlikely to drop below 5°C (41°F), nighttime temperatures are currently expected to be around -2°C (28°F), according to the weather forecast. Is this a problem? What should I ask the foundation contractor to pay attention to (he is also under some time pressure because the house needs to be erected by the end of March)?

Hi,

at these temperatures, you first need to be able to receive a concrete delivery at all.

When concrete is delivered, it will be winter concrete. This type contains specific additives that account for the weather conditions. There are various mixes with corresponding processing instructions and requirements. This is *not* a disadvantage; the concrete quality is always excellent.

Your groundworks contractor must work according to these mix specifications (or not start the work if conditions are not suitable).

A good groundworks contractor knows this by heart.

Best regards,
Thorsten

Why does he have to have the house framed by the end of March already, and how is he supposed to manage that in just two weeks?

Probably the scheduled appointment with the prefab house installer.

Yes, but who would agree to such a contract when you never know what the weather will be like in March...

The groundworks contractor does not have to construct the house, of course, but the building permit / planning permission must be in place by the end of March because that is when the house will be erected. The groundworks contractor was awarded the contract by the general contractor. He gives a very thorough impression and is working at a steady pace. Now, we just need the weather to cooperate... but it looks pretty good, no severe frost below -3°C (27°F) is expected, and daytime temperatures should get a bit warmer starting at the end of next week.