Anyone who lives in a cold weather climate like Michigan knows the importance of preparing for the winter. Homeowners in these regions put together a checklist of pre-winter maintenance projects, all of which help to protect parts of their home and property from damage that the cold weather can cause.
The winter is not typically a popular season for construction projects, as the lower temperatures can cause major challenges not only on the people who are responsible for installing the projects but on the materials that are used themselves.
Ambient temperatures that are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius, require special construction procedures to ensure the materials are not adversely affected.
Cold weather masonry construction projects require in-depth knowledge of local code requirements, planning and workforce capabilities, as well as the ability to be not only flexible but innovative. Many building codes require additional procedures when masonry projects are constructed during cold weather.
Below is more detailed information about how to prepare outdoor masonry for Michigan winters, as well as essential tips for cold weather protection.
Selecting the Right Masonry Material for Cold Weather
One of the most important aspects of cold weather masonry projects is choosing the right materials based on the climate in which they’re going to be installed. This doesn’t just include the main end-product that is going to be used — such as whether to install a patio of stone, concrete, brick or more — but also the individual components of the installation project.
Construction companies should always consider using Type III, high-early strength portland cement in lieu of Type I portland cement for mortar or grout in cold weather environments. This helps to accelerate the setting process, which is important during colder temperatures.
Since winters in Michigan can often bring extra moisture and precipitation, it’s essential for contractors to protect masonry materials by covering them. Bagged masonry units and materials should also be protected from both groundwater and precipitation by storing them on pallets or in some other weather-protected way.
Preparing Newly Constructed Masonry for Winter
There are important steps that contractors need to take to prepare newly constructed masonry projects for winter. In addition to handling the construction materials in the way described above, there are steps that need to be taken during the actual construction and placement processes.
Any dry masonry unit can be as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius) at the time that they are put in place. However, all wet frozen masonry units need to be thawed out before they’re placed in the masonry project.
Doing so will help to uphold the stability and the integrity of the materials themselves.
Temperature Effects on Masonry
Cold weather climates like those in Michigan provide challenging environments for masonry construction climates. The typical freeze and thaw cycles that occur change the actual composition of the materials that are being used.
For example, when the mortar temperature drops below a normal level, water will freeze and change its volume, thereby expanding the mortar. In turn, the amount of water that’s required to achieve the desired consistently will be less than under normal temperatures.
When temperatures are lower, the strength gain and hydration process of the mortar also gets reduced, which can significantly delay the time it takes for the mortar to set. Water that’s present in the mortar can also freeze during lower temperatures, which can cause the mortar to crack.
Research has shown that there’s a disruptive expansion effect on the cement-aggregate matrix when fresh mortars with water contents in excess of 8% are frozen.
Protecting Masonry from Water Infiltration
Because of all the potential ill-effects mentioned above, it’s essential to keep all masonry materials dry and free of snow and ice during the winter. This may sound like a complicated process, but there are actually simple steps you and/or your contractor can follow to do this.
Make sure that all masonry materials are stored on pallets so they don’t come in contact with groundwater, and cover them with a heavy tarp. This will protect them from any moisture from above and below..
Building code prohibits laying any masonry units that have visible ice or snow on them, or any that have a temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Mortar and Grout Considerations
In order for mortar and grout to perform as they should, they need the proper amount of time to set. Once set, these materials will protect the overall masonry construction, keeping everything in place and ensuring that no water or other materials seep through the individual pieces.
In cold weather climates like Michigan, there are products your masonry contractor can use to speed up the setting process. There are accelerating types of admixtures that will hasten the hydration of portland cement in mortar or grout.
This is important, as the exothermic reactions that take place when cement hydrates and eventually transforms into durable, hard concrete can slow down significantly. Without the admixture, project delays can occur frequently, while there’s also the potential for significant harmful pressure to be placed on that mixture itself.
It is important to note, though, that any admixture that contains chlorides in excess of 0.2% chloride irons aren’t permitted to be used in mortar because of the possibility for corrosion of embedded metals.
Heating and Insulating Masonry Work Areas
Whenever certain cold weather conditions are in place, it’s incumbent on masonry contractors to figure out a way to maintain a consistent temperature at the job site. According to the American Concrete Institute, cold weather periods are defined as any time where the ambient temperature on a daily average basis is lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) for at least three days in a row.
Any time this occurs, it’s important that specific protection and construction procedures be implemented.
One option is to use heated enclosures. These will help contractors meet the required temperature targets, which in turn provides for not only better quality masonry projects, but improved working conditions as well.
Best Practices for Michigan Winters
In harsh, cold weather regions such as Michigan, moisture and low temperatures aren’t the only elements that masonry contractors need to deal with.
They also need to factor in the potential for excessive wind, which can result in structural failure of newly constructed masonry before supports are able to be installed or before the strength of the material is able to properly develop.
Luckily, there are set standards that are in place that masonry contractors can follow in these situations. For instance, the TEK 3-4C Bracing Concrete Masonry Walls During Construction provides guidance for how masonry walls should be braced during the construction process to protect against the potential for structural failure caused by wind.
The bracing is intended to help protect the workers on site as they are building the wall. This bracing is required for any wall that is more than eight feet tall. It’s also required until the elements of permanent support are in place for the structure.
Work with an Experienced Masonry Contractor
Despite the fact that Michigan winters present extra challenges for masonry contractors, there is no reason why masonry projects need to come to a complete halt during the coldest time of year. Contractors and homeowners alike can prepare for Michigan winters with confidence by following certain steps and procedures.
It’s a good idea for any masonry contractor to include a cold weather plan along with their submittals to the local municipality when applying for permits.
All contractors should plan ahead, assuming that the temperature will eventually drop. This way, when the thermometer drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cold weather procedures can be easily and seamlessly implemented in a “turn-key” fashion.
In terms of materials, it’s important to keep all units covered and off the ground. No frozen units should be laid in a new construction project, and all materials should be used only at their mandated temperatures.
Once the construction project is completed, all masonry should be covered and protected for the mandated period of time to ensure the integrity of the structure.
If you’re considering a cold-weather masonry project in Michigan, it’s important to turn to a masonry company that has been in business for years and that you can trust has all the angles covered.
At All Brick, we have been perfecting the art of masonry for the last 10 years. We provide a variety of masonry projects for families throughout Southeast Michigan, so we know what it takes to ensure your project is well protected during the state’s cold months.For more information, or to get an estimate, contact us today.
