We have lifted our house and are in the process of laying 3 layers of lightweight concrete blocks on the old cast cellar wall. Over the weekend, 3-4 days ago, we laid the first layer. Since then, there have been a few freezing temperatures a couple of hours each night. How does this affect the mortar, and how can we tell if something has gone wrong?
It cures slowly, and the very first mortar is now hard on the surface, but the irregularities that stick out can be broken off and crumbled. Is this something to worry about?
It cures slowly, and the very first mortar is now hard on the surface, but the irregularities that stick out can be broken off and crumbled. Is this something to worry about?
Hey,,,, don't touch the loose parts, just let the mortar set at its natural pace... you'll notice when it's ready.
Freezing temperatures don't affect anything in one instance, it's when they persist...
So in short, don't worry and let the mortar do its thing.
If you're concerned,,,, can't you just cover it with a mat, just like over a flower bed???
Freezing temperatures don't affect anything in one instance, it's when they persist...
So in short, don't worry and let the mortar do its thing.
If you're concerned,,,, can't you just cover it with a mat, just like over a flower bed???
I would be worried and definitely cover, i.e., hang something over and apply low heat. A mix for lightweight concrete does NOT withstand freezing temperatures, and there is a significant risk that the strength will not be achieved.
Now I don't know if your basement provides heat to the blocks from the inside and if the blocks were warm or ice-cold when you "glued" them. I would also cover them in freezing temperatures, but if you don't have this, I recommend my above writing.
Best regards, Jawen
Now I don't know if your basement provides heat to the blocks from the inside and if the blocks were warm or ice-cold when you "glued" them. I would also cover them in freezing temperatures, but if you don't have this, I recommend my above writing.
Best regards, Jawen
Thank you for your responses.
I called and spoke with Finja, the manufacturer of the mortar, and they didn't think there was anything to worry about. This was on Friday. The mortar has now hardened significantly and feels quite alright.
However, we added antifreeze for last weekend's masonry just to be safe, I didn't know such a product existed before. It wasn't a bad idea since the mortar seems to cure much faster despite being below +5 for most of the day.
I called and spoke with Finja, the manufacturer of the mortar, and they didn't think there was anything to worry about. This was on Friday. The mortar has now hardened significantly and feels quite alright.
However, we added antifreeze for last weekend's masonry just to be safe, I didn't know such a product existed before. It wasn't a bad idea since the mortar seems to cure much faster despite being below +5 for most of the day.
Same situation here.. working on lifting the roof of the skånelänga. Placing tiles I had left over on the property in a number of rows between the intermediate beam layer and the foundation wall. The mortar takes a long time to harden, as do the concrete splashes I have cast. It will probably be fine, just need to wait a bit longer for it to cure.