Low temperatures when pouring concrete can cause significant damage such as cracks, fissures and structural weaknesses of all kinds. Sub-zero temperatures that are not addressed with high quality insulated concrete blankets not only can cause serious structural failures components floors, driveways, roads, bridges and many other applications, can lead to catastrophic events, especially in areas prone to earthquakes and other areas probe to flooding, storm surges and heavy snow fall.
Both the curing process and the development of strength in concrete are slowed down as temperatures are approach the lower end of their range. To combat what is clearly a serious long term safety issue, insulation used within specially design blanket coverings are used as a solution for use in environments with temperature issues using a robust application of Concrete Curing Blankets over concrete surfaces,
How do Insulated Concrete Blankets Function to Protect Results?
Insulated Concrete Blankets limit the amount of heat that escapes through the fact that the insulation used traps air inside; it may either be utilized to keep things warm during set up and curing periods. They have been deployed for several years by pipe layers, gardeners and construction workers, among other professions. The insulation offered within a concrete blanket makes it possible to guarantee that just an adequate amount of heat is lost. This ensures that the furnaces and other equipment necessary for producing or curing products that require high temperatures are safe to use.
Concrete can be cured faster if it is first covered with insulated tarps, which are then covered once more. When concrete is allowed to fix at a higher temperature, the surface develops a permanent hardening that is both more rapid and complete. Several other activities, in addition to drying concrete, can benefit from using an insulated tarp. Activities such as tailgating, picnicking, eating in commercial greenhouses, and transporting food in shipping containers are all included in this category. In places where the temperature often drops below freezing, they are an absolute necessity.
Concrete Blankets also Insulates during Extreme Weather
Protecting your property from the damaging effects of high temperatures can also be mitigated as slightly lower costs using insulated tarps. Noting that insulated tarps do help in terms of maintaining heat retention capabilities in various temperature settings, they are well suited perform their role as barriers. Insulated Concrete Curing Blankets, however, are significantly more robust in the protective qualities than insulated tarps.
Insulated Tarps as an Alternative Option
Because they are made from materials that are not particularly expensive, insulated tarps can be purchased at a more reasonable price. Insulated tarps that are produced from materials that are resistant to wind, water, and abrasion are going to be the most effective. The following items are among those that are frequently seen attached to tarps:
- Being somewhat less inexpensive, insulated tarps with insulation can be produced using polyester as the primary material. When exposed to sunlight, this insulated tarp soon loses its function, even though it is the most common form.
- Tarps made of closed-cell foam not only serve as an insulating material but also have a variety of other applications. The most effective kind of insulation is supplied by tarps made of closed-cell foam, which make use of the air that is trapped inside the foam bubbles to prevent the passage of cold air and moisture.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Insulated Tarps During Projects
The user receives a host of benefits as a result of making use of an insulated tarp.
- One way to cut down on the amount of heat that is lost intensively is to make use of tarps that are insulated.
- Tarps have a limited period during which they can withstand moist circumstances such as snow and rain before they deteriorate and must be replaced.
- Tarps are easy to put up and take down after use.
The following are some of the drawbacks of using an insulated tarp:
- Plastic tarps deteriorate at an alarmingly quick rate when they are exposed to the sun. The sun’s UV rays can weaken the integrity of tarps and other protective covers.
- The insulation provided by tarps can be torn to shreds by wind and dust. Even though the vast majority of tarps are watertight, it is still possible for water to harm expensive equipment by getting through a hole in one of the tarps.
- An indication that the heating was done incorrectly.
Insulated tarps offer a short-term solution to the problem of preventing heat loss and maintaining a comfortable temperature inside a building. Tarps aren’t perfect for keeping you warm, and you can only use them several times before they start to wear out.
There are other options besides insulated tarps to consider. Tarps, in general, have several drawbacks, the most notable of which are the loss of heat, wear, and the absence of inside heating. These drawbacks have the potential to become a source of contention and annoyance for workers, particularly in situations when heated supplies are required in the workplace. The utilization of an insulated tarp will not cause an increase in the temperature of the inside. In contrast to heat trace cables or area heaters, which only offer indirect heat, curing blankets deliver direct heat to the treatment area.
Distinctions between Insulated Tarps and Concrete Blankets
Because concrete curing blankets can generate heat, rather than using insulated tarps, it is strongly recommended to make use of these blankets instead. They have an advantage over insulated tarps because they may continue to perform the task they were designed for even after being subjected to the weather for an extended period.
Compared to other options, concrete curing blankets stand out due to their unique capacity to conserve heat through conduction. Concrete blankets have been shown to hasten the curing process compared to insulated blankets. This is because heat is conducted through the cloaks themselves. In addition, throughout the hydration process, they keep consistent moisture levels, which is a benefit for concreting in cold weather.
Once they are in position, concrete covers are easy to build and may be moved with moderate ease. Each blanket has been put through extensive testing at the Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL), as well as the American Concrete Institute, and has been given their seal of approval for use during concrete pours in subfreezing circumstances (ACI). These certificates serve as proof that the blankets are risk-free to use.
When it comes to drying and curing concrete in the winter, concrete blankets are, by far, the most successful way. The concrete blanket is a tried-and-true curing solution that utilizes materials for temperature control that are of the highest possible quality. This enables you to keep your project on schedule and avoid expensive weather delays.
