Cold Weather Application

by Chuck Brewer

When temperatures dip and you’re trying to get the last few exterior jobs done, there are some tricks you can use to get the jobs to dry faster. Starting off with the obvious, use quick set modifier. Since products dry best when they’re warm and the surface is warm here’s a few ways you can accomplish both.

First, get your modifier warm, you do this with bucket belts that you can buy. Bucket belts are made to strap around a 5 gallon bucket, (normally used for thick roof coatings). These belts have a heating strap in them that once plugged in will heat the modifier up to 80 degrees.

You will want to put a heating blanket over your grout bags to get them warm. You might want to start both of these the night before to insure the product has ample time to get warm. Its important to heat the grout as well as the modifier; if not the grout will just cool down the modifier.

Third step, torch the concrete just in front of the guys skimming down the warm mix, this will insure fast dry time (Note torch a way from the guys skimming).