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Dealing With Icy-Sloped Driveways: How To Prevent Accidents?

Dealing With Frozen Steep Driveways

Overview

Icy-sloped driveways pose significant risks for anyone passing by. Not only are they a nuisance to drive through, but can cause accidents and put you and your loved ones at danger. Your driveway has an important role to play: connecting your home with the rest of the world.

If it gets covered by snow, and worse if thick ice starts forming on it, your ability to safely drive off or come back home will become much tougher and riskier. Even walking on foot might cause slip accidents. Removing the ice takes forever and is a huge hustle. Luckily, fixing this problem is quite simple.

Introducing ALCO's Heated Mats

Driveways don’t need to stay frozen for weeks to no end, nor are massive cleaning efforts required. The solution is simple and easy to pull off. Alco’s snow-melting mats will do all the work for you while preventing slip and fall accidents on the driveway. All maintenance-free! Simply place the mats before the snow storms arrive, and you will never worry about frozen driveways ever again.

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Dealing With Steep Driveways In The Winter Months

How to prevent steep frozen driveways

A List Of Potential Solutions

  • Calcium chloride or salt: while they can be useful in de-icing your driveway, their effect does not last long, and other issues could appear. Rock salt will likely begin cracking the surface after while after applying it. Chemical deicers are also hazardous to plants and pets. Not to mention, these chemicals won't last for the entire winter and could be washed away during a strong storm.
  • Traction-boosting agents: these include kitty litter, sawdust, or gravel. They hold some potential but are not cost-efficient. Shoveling entire plies of these agents requires a lot of efforts, and cleaning them later will be annoying.
  • Removing the snow mechanically. You can do it yourself or hire a company for the job. Either way, that requires a lot of efforts, and you will need to keep removing the snow over and over again every time a snow storm passes by. Depending on how long or wide your driveway is, mechanical removal will eventually become too costly and irrelevant.

Heated Driveway Mats

If the driveway is essential for you, and keeping it ice free is important, the heated mats will do the trick! Not only will they remove snow or ice before it begins to build up, but you can even drive on them. Heated mats are also a cost-efficient solution as they consume almost no energy, and will continue functioning for years to come.

Keeping Long, Steep Driveways Ice-Free

Dealing With Icy-Sloped Driveways

Benefits

  • Many sizes to choose from
  • Combine multiple heated mats to cover larger areas
  • Reduce liability of litigation from slip and fall accidents
  • Protect your loved ones as they come and go
  • Can be used for driveways, stairs, or sidewalks
  • Portable and require no costly installations
  • A better solution than calcium chloride, salt, or mechanical removal
  • Our mats can withstand the harshest of weather and run all winter long
  • 2-year manufacturer's warranty
  • Non-slip surface which makes travel on the mats super secure
  • Power Cord: 6' foot and can be plugged into any standard 120V outlet
  • No thermostat required with even heating technology
  • Waterproof, Weatherproof, and Reusable
  • It consumes almost no electricity: only $0.006 per hour - less than $1 a day
  • Free shipping on orders over $800

Choose ALCO's Heated Driveway Mats

One way or another, you will have to prevent ice and snow from building up on your driveway, if you want to pass through safely. The best solution is to set up heated mats which will work nonstop for months, consume almost no energy, and keep the pathway clear even in the harshest of snow storms.

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How To Thaw Frozen Ground?

How To Thaw Frozen Ground_

OVERVIEW

On an annual basis, the construction industry has to deal with frozen ground. The problem costs time, efforts, and money to fix. Frozen ground can be costly for some contractors because it delays projects and creates safety hazards for workers. Without proper knowledge, prep work might take longer than the project job itself.

Delaying work until the weather gets better is rarely an option. A company with strict calendar deadlines cannot afford to wait until the warmer months arrive. There should always be a solution for these scenarios, and here is where our company can help. In today’s blog, we will discuss how to thaw frozen ground and keep your projects running regardless of the current weather.

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What Causes The Ground To Freeze?

How To Thaw Frozen Ground?

Influence From The Weather

As soon as the cold months start rolling in, the ground will start to freeze. Two big factors are the air temperature and direct sunlight. After the cold wave arrives, it takes time for the ground to freeze. After the weather gets better, it takes time until the ground goes back to normal. It is often difficult to tell how deep the ground is frozen.

Some layers of the ground will have differences in temperatures. The surface will be warmer under the sun. Moisture will accelerate the speed of freezing, so if there was a huge rain store before the cold wave, expect some difficulties. The snow acts as an insulator. It will prevent deeper ground layers from freezing, but you will still have to remove it so your project can continue.

The Soil

The combination of clay, silt, and sand will determine how fast the groups can absorb moisture and freeze. Sandy soil will absorb more water and freeze faster, but it will also get warmer faster. Dense soils take longer to freeze and thaw. As soon as the temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), the freezing will begin.

Potential Issues With Frozen Ground

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Safety Hazards

The walkways will become dangerous; causing people to occasionally slip. Moving around the area will become slower and put the calendar into jeopardy. Companies which do not meet the proper safety standards will risk getting fined. To protect employees and customers, the contractor must remove snow and ice from the working areas and walkways. Serious issues could arise if a construction company is not waterproof.

Project Delays

Your construction project will face difficulties as soon as the weather turns cold. Curing, roofing, concrete pouring, and digging suddenly become hard if not impossible. It is important to seek information regarding soil types and seasonal weather in the region your project is taking place. With such information, you should be able to prepare the ground thawing instruments in time before the weather becomes too cold.

One way to deal with frozen ground would be to use heating systems. While this method might work, it is far too expensive and inefficient. Rental fees, transportation fees, and maintenance costs will ramp up and the solution might not be worth it – neither in the short or long runs.

ALCO's Blankets Are The Best Solution For Thawing Frozen Ground

Custom Made Blankets

If you your project takes place in an area with cold weather, the ground can suffer from deep freezes which make digging far harder than it should be. While snow can be an insulator, you will still have to remove it.

Waiting the winter out is often not an option. If you have to follow strict deadlines, there must be a solution in place to help you out.

Here is where our custom made ground thawing blankets come in handy. These amazing covers will thaw frozen ground, melt existing ice and snow, and keep your equipment engines warm at all times.

Create a favorable and secure working environment during the cold winter months. Keep the projects on track while saving money.

Amazing Benefits

  • FREE SHIPPING 
  • 4.5' x 15' Blanket Is Stocked and Ready to Ship
  • Other sizes ship in 10-12 business days
  • 1-year manufacturer's warranty including heating element
  • Thaw frozen ground up to 8 feet deep
  • Power Cord: 6' foot
  • No thermostat required with even heating technology
  • Industry leading closed cell insulation
  • Top of the line heat welded edges to keep water out
  • Waterproof, Weatherproof, Durable, and Reusable
  • Thaw frozen ground up to 8 feet deep!
  • Maintain a temperature below the blanket of 60° F
  • Plug not included

Operate In Any Weather

So, how to that frozen ground efficiently? With ALCO's custom made electric curing blankets. Their power density and amazingly high temperatures will help with any ground thawing applications.

These blankets are not only powerful, but durable. They will continue working in the harshest of conditions.

You will save time, energy, and money. Focus on your project while paying little to no supervision on the  ground thawing blankets.

The flexible blankets can be set up and moved out with great haste. The frozen ground has always been a challenge for the construction industry, but with ALCO's blankets, you can focus on your project with ease.

Serving The Industry Leaders

Description
Description

Uses

  • Thaw frozen ground up to 8 feet deep
  • Cure concrete in cold winter conditions
  • Warm sand pile for masonry work
  • Wrap around pipes to dethaw or keep warm
  • Keep drainage field dethawed

Operating Costs

  • Cost per hour to operate the pad can be calculated by the following formula: ( Cost per KW hour x sq ft of pad x watts per sq ft ) / 1000
Temperatures
Benefits

Insulated Concrete Curing Blankets

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Why Insulated Concrete Curing Blankets?

ALCO Covers offers one-time usage and reusable wet concrete curing blankets depending on what you need. As endorsed by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), these products conserve ideal moisture content during the concrete curing process. Cracking, Dusting, Scaling and crazing on curing process are caused due to the absence or insufficient amount of moisture. The standards of AASHTO specification M-171 for reflection are met by all ALCO products.

The ALCO product which is not reusable also has lighter weight indoor/outdoor wet curing blanket, this product is made to hold moisture for about seven days and give steady hydration. The fact that it is not reusable makes it easy for cross-contamination between slabs to be eradicated. Insulated curing blanket constitutes an un-pigmented, non-woven polypropylene material responsible for preserving moisture. A white polyethylene membrane which takes charge to make sure heat is reduced and evaporation process are minimized. A roll of is about 8 x 200 with a weight estimated to be 54lbs.

It is the first patented concrete curing blanket. This concrete curing blanket can withhold water for long and helps to maintain moisture level during the concrete curing process. This reusable concrete is manufactured with a synthetic fabric in other to evade concrete straining that is common in other covers. The curing blanket is available for immediate shipment in different stock sizes.

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What Are The Constituents Of Insulated Concrete Curing?

Abrasion-resistant vinyl adhesive and a layer of closed cell insulations are the two main constituents of an insulated concrete curing blankets. These materials are responsible for guard against water. The strength, prevention of tears and absorption of moisture in the blanket is gotten due to the heat welded of the seams during manufacturing. No matter the size of the precast steel the blanket comes in various sizes that will fit in any of the precast steel bed.

Why Tarps In Concrete Curing?

Concrete curing blankets are now built with tarps with the intentions of having a long-lasting concrete curing blankets. These tarps are built with the use of rigid woven polyethylene materials for perfect insulation and longevity. Tarps are manufactured with flexible foam which guarantees RV and is necessary for a concrete work on any job site.

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FEATURES

  • Very strong and hydrophobic
  • The micro-foam guarantees more performance.
  • The poly outer shell is hard and durable.
  • The deep black on the peripheral provides maximum temperature gain from solar heat and to help the interior insulation layers maximize R values; they’re silver on the bottom.

Sizes

Tarps offer a variety of standard sizes of concrete curing blankets, from 12-mil, 1/2-inch closed cell measuring 3 x 25 feet to 12-mil, to 1/4-inch closed cell blankets that are 12 x 25 feet. We are a custom manufacturer of covers, tarps and insulated curing blankets, we produce custom concrete curing blankets of various sizes for any project you want to delve into regardless of its difficulty.

Contact our sales staff professionals with your concrete curing blanket specifications and questions.

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Cement Curing and Setting Time

concrete-curing-cover

In a planned project, one’s patience is tested when waiting for the curing of concrete. It takes a lot of time, and it’s also necessary especially when it is time to move to the next sequence of the project. ALCO Electric Concrete Curing Blankets can help expedite the sequence However, the idle point purpose of any project is excellent and not quick in the quick action of accomplishing a project without granting the concrete to cure correctly before installing the cement and allowing foot or machinery to transmit or move on it can result in severe destruction and this will precede to compromising the dependence of a concrete slab.

Causes affecting concrete slab cure time include:

  • Mixture Amount-increase of cement to water will decrements the setting time to compromise its long-lasting strength.
  • Type of mix used- Availability and manner of fast concrete curing mixes and add-ins.
  • Explained strength.
  • Size and shape of slab.
  • Weather/Temperature- A High temperature falls the original time to set for concrete curing and might reduce long-term strength.

concrete-curing-blankets, Concrete blankets for proper curing in the summertime heat.

Concrete Setting Time

A normal concrete will reach full force 28 days after it’s placed, nonetheless, it does not restrict you from walking on or continue construction on it. Concrete increases in force within 3-7 days after positioning, after which it solidify slowly in a couple of weeks. A normal concrete will harden within 24-48 hours after which it will be safe to ply on. A week after is sufficient for a normally cured concrete to manage construction work.

When is a concrete ready?

The “70 in 7” regulation gives you the self-reliance that concrete mixes will have gotten up 70% of its compressible force after 7 days. It is therefore now in the condition of being exposed to normal traffic and construction jobs. However, curing continues in the cement a long as moisture mixes with cement

ALCO Concrete Curing Blanket

Weather is one of the challenges in concrete curing. In winter period the cold normally slows down concrete curing time and it has always been a drawback for construction projects. Technology has seemed to be the only solution to such drawback. Downsides to weather is now a thing of history. ALCO Concrete Curing Blankets are one of the technologies that help in the upholding of temperature during the curing process. They are available and result in curing concrete almost 3 times faster than a normally detached blanket and maintain the degree of wetness properly throughout the hydrating process. ALCO Concrete Blanket can be relocated easily and installed to maintain ACI displacement for cold weather condition concrete curing.

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Ambient Temperature For Concrete Curing

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What is the Temperature for Concrete Curing?

The standard temperature to achieve full strength in concrete curing is 55°F. this is regardless the weather condition.

Dam Curing

The Hoover dam as you know was the largest dam worldwide at its completion. June 6, 1933, was a remarkable day for engineers on the site as they began the first pour. The dam was built as a series of individual columns, rather than single block concrete. Its Trapezoidal column shape stands five-foot lifts. The idea behind this is to allow heat produced by the curing to be able to dispel. If they had built the dam in a single block, the concrete would take over 100 years to cool to ambient temperature due to the heat produced. It wouldn’t have been a successful job if it was built in a single continuous pour, the stress would definitely cause a crack in the dam and it will surely crumble.
Another challenge the team was faced with was the heat and dryness of Nevada. When the concrete was poured, river water was used to circulate through cooling coils of 1″ thin-walled steel pipes. After the cooling with river water, cold water from a refrigeration plant on the lower cofferdam was poured to circulate the concrete through the coil to finish the cooling. Needless to say, if the hoover dam had access to ALCO Concrete Curing Blankets, the project timeline could have been greatly reduced.

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The Art

Everyone wants to get to their destination faster or finish a job in no time that is the world we live in, however, concrete that cures too quickly or under hot curing temperature will at the end result to a weak concrete. Therefore it is standard for concrete to be cured at a moderate temperature of 32°-50°F with moisture, the strength of the concrete will be slow but it will eventually reach its full strength. The concrete temperature should not exceed 90°F or dry out during the curing process, this may result in flaking.

Temperature Best For Concrete Curing

The following shows which temperature is best for concrete curing: Two concrete curing process 120°F and 55°F

Day 1 - 120°F cured concrete is strong. (High temperature)
55°F cured concrete is weak. (Low temperature)
Day 7 - 120°F cured concrete has no more strength
55°F cured concrete still has the strength
Day 28 - 120°F cured concrete becomes weaker
55°F cured concrete gets stronger
28 to 365 days - 55°F concrete is considered stronger than 120°F concrete

In Conclusion

This suggests that, as long as curing is continuous, concrete cured at 55°F from day 1 to day 28 ultimately reaches full concrete strength.

Concrete Temperature Limit In Hot Weather

Hot weather doesn’t necessarily involve temperature alone. Temperature, Wind, Relative humidity all have a role to play in hot weather. During hot weather conditions, the main curing challenge is having the top of the slap dry faster than the bottom. Concrete dries from the top and it shrinks when it does, this means the top shrinks leaving the bottom and this creates internal problems with the concrete which results in damage slab. For a successful curing, both top and bottom of the slab need to cure at the same rate.

Features

  • Use ALCO's heat-spreading technology in reverse.
  • The robust system used in
  • Powerblanket heating products is similar to blanket cover and insulation.
  • Portable.
  • Controls the curing speed even in hot conditions.
  • Cures approximately 3 times faster than conventional or insulated blankets.
  • Produce concreting strength of about 3,925 psi within 72 hours in cold weather.
  • Maintain moisture throughout hydrating process.
  • Installed and removed easily.
  • Prevent a freeze cycle.
  • Melt ground and frost from the previous job prior to pour.
  • Increase profitability.
  • Maintain ACI compliance for cold weather concreting.

Solution To Concrete Curing Temperature

Is The Temperature Too Hot?

ALCO Electric Curing Blanket is a portable cooling equipment that keeps poured concrete safe from the heat. ALCO Electric Curing Blanket regulates the temperature of concrete under regular or hot conditions. It is portable, insulated and efficient. The power blanket can be installed and removed easily. The ALCO Electric Curing Blanket is combined with either a cooler or chiller to attain optimum results. The circulation blanket, found inside the ALCO Electric Curing Blanket, draws heat to the blanket to cool the concrete.

Is The Temperature Too Cold?

No need to worry during winter. ALCO's concrete curing blanket offers a way to cure concrete confidently and effectively in cold weather condition. The use of ALCO concrete curing blanket increases production through consistent curing.

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What You Need To Know About Concrete Curing

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What Is The Setting Time For Concrete?

The truth is concrete curing is a continuous process, it hardens steadily forever. But practically speaking, concrete curing reaches a point, which is after a couple of weeks, where hardening will become too slow and invisible.

Does Concrete Stop Curing?

The reason behind its continuous hardening is due to the curing process (hydration). During this stage, cement particles react with water in the mix which will continue to form bonds as long as cement comes in contact with moisture. Concrete does not stop curing but curing process is minimal after it attains its full strength.

What Is The Curing Time For Concrete?

The full strength of concrete is known in a couple of weeks (28 days) this is the standard time for curing. Within seven days one should be able to get 70% concrete cured to its full strength. Bear in mind that the curing time for concrete to set is within 24-48 hours. At this stage, you can confidently walk on the placed concrete without fear of leaving footprint behind, but heavy equipment should not be placed on it yet. After 28 days it will be ready to take anything that is placed on it.

Factors Affecting Concrete Setting Time

  • Moisture – Very important in a concrete curing process. Insufficient water in the mix leads to fast concrete curing which will result in a weaker overall strength. Flaking is inevitable if too much moisture is used in the finishing phase.
  • Hot ambient weather temperatures and wind increase evaporation of moisture. This speeds up concrete setting time.
  • Accelerants – sometimes they are required, especially if the area where the concrete needs to be placed is in need of it urgently. The function of accelerants is to speed up concrete setting time. It mixes will show weakness in the end but will meet the strength required for a period of time.

ALCO Electric Curing Blankets

ALCO Electric Curing Blankets are the solution to all your worries in concrete setting time. During summer conditions, concrete setting is fast and would show weakness in the end but with ALCO Electric Curing Blankets one can maneuver the temperature of the curing process to a typical curing setting. The same thing applies to a cold/winter condition, it keeps concrete safe from cold. ALCO Electric Curing Blankets regulate concrete setting time in both cold and hot temperatures.

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Advantages Of Electric Curing Blankets

  • Easily Installed.
  • Concrete curing is faster compared to insulated blankets.
  • Freeze cycle is prevented.
  • Increases profit.
  • Balances moisture during a curing process.
  • Maintain ACI compliance for cold temperature concreting.
  • Takes 72 hours to produce full concrete strength in cold weather.
  • Portable and easily moved from job sites.
  • Draws heat away and lowers the temperature of concrete.
  • Blanket cover and insulation are the same as the robust system used in ALCO heating blankets.
  • Control the curing speed of newly poured concrete even in hot conditions.
  • Offer a means to cure concrete effectively and assertively.
  • Increase production by rapidly curing with consistent, even heat.

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