Some people wait until the warmer months to build a home, not wanting to pour a foundation in cold and snowy weather. Do you need to wait for the busy construction season, though? Even if you live in a cold winter climate, Stephens & Smith Construction Co. says you may not need to prolong the start of your project.

The logic in waiting for spring to pour a concrete foundation is you’ll avoid the perils of dealing with ice and snow. Trying to place footings in frozen soil can be a tall order, and rapid temperature changes are known to cause havoc in other areas of construction.

These concerns are valid, but they don’t have to control your building plans. If you want to install a concrete foundation in winter, it can be done, but it might take more planning and preparation. 

Once the hole is dug, the frost in the ground has been removed and will not impact the footings. Forming of the foundation walls can take place in almost any temperature, which will help keep your project moving and on schedule. When pouring the foundation wall, the concrete mix can be altered to use hot water when mixing, and using additives will accelerate the set time and gain strength faster.

Another consideration is that the concrete itself will generate heat as it is setting up and curing. A chemical reaction between the Portland cement and water in the mix will produce heat, and if controlled and used correctly will actually help to keep the fresh concrete from freezing.  

With locations in Lincoln and Omaha, Stephens & Smith Construction Co. provides expert concrete services to residents of eastern Nebraska. Call the Lincoln office at (402) 475-8087 to discuss your foundation needs, or learn more about pouring concrete in cold weather. Their website has a gallery of their past work, and you can follow them on Facebook for updates.