Defining Cold Weather Masonry

  • Daily Temp below 40F for more than 3 consecutive days
    • Average Daily Temperature- Average temperature over a 24-hour period
  • When air temperature has fallen to, or is expected to fall below 40F during the protection period
  • Protection Period is defined as the time recommended to prevent Masonry from being adversely affected by exposure to cold weather during construction

Best Practices

  • Keep moisture away from sand and masonry material
    • using materials that have Ice or are saturated with water will prevent a proper bond to occur
    • Cover sand piles and brick with tarps
  • Tarp off work areas best as possible
  • Heat Sand before it is mixed
  • Heat water barrels
  • Use a Admixture to accelerate curing strength

Prevent damage to masonry due to freezing at early ages

  • Assure that Masonry develops the required strength
    • Early freezing can result in the loss of up to 50% of the intended strength
    • Must reach a minimum of 500 psi in order to prevent damage from freezing
  • Pore water starts to freeze at 30 degrees
  • At 25-27F degrees, enough pore water will freeze and hydration will stop
    • Hydration is the chemical reaction of Portland cement with water which causes the hardening process to take effect
  • Below 27F degrees, the formation of ice may be detrimental to the long term integrity of the the Portland cement bonding the bricks.

LIQUID MASONRY MORTAR ACCELERATOR

EUCO WINTER ADMIXTURE (EWA)is a multi-purpose liquid calcium chloride admixture designed to accelerate the normal setting rate of mortar, increase strength development, and to improve workability. It can be used safely with gray or white Portland cement or colored masonry cements without causing discoloration.

Features & Benefits

  • Accelerates set times of mortar
  • Aids in protecting mortar in cold weather
  • Cuts construction cost - no cold weather job delay
  • Increases strengths at all ages
  • Improves workability

Applications

  • EUCO WINTER ADMIXTURE is used in mortar to lay brick, block, structural clay tile and glass block to eliminate the dangers connected with freezing mortar joints.