Last week we finished pouring concrete for a little walkway with steps, in the middle of winter with temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to a spike to 50 degrees.
Was it difficult? Well no and it came out with an excellent cure and looks terrific!With a well of knowledge about materials and weather and a bit of care, a competent craftsman can perform just about any repair or installation under adverse conditions but there is a catch… the operative word here is ‘competent‘!For years I’ve been hearing customers tell me “Oh you can’t do that in the winter!”.
Oh and why not?
Since 1979 I’ve worked every winter even when temperatures reached as low as 25 degrees below zero. Friend that is cold but it can be done!
Whether your dealing with masonry, concrete, carpentry, steel or whatever the conditions, with a little foresight and planning your building project can proceed during the depth of winter if you have a competent contractor.
It’s been almost 30 years since I’ve done my first winter project and during that time have not had one complaint about our workmanship or the durability of our products.
I’m not saying that everyone knows how to work under these conditions but I do and most competent contractors do as well. Like them, I learned from the old pros who knew how to keep going regardless of what mother nature threw their way!
Now I will admit as I’ve gotten older I tend not to ‘WANT’ to brave the elements as much as I once did but when the job needs to get done and I can save a customer a few dollars… I don’t hesitate.
The key to working under these adverse conditions is knowing how your materials and labor will react to the varying conditions. Every material has its’ own unique set of characteristics and your labor responds differently to every one degree rise or drop in temperature.
So it can be a challenge to work safely and effectively under these conditions.
I mention this in my blog just so the general public understands that weather shouldn’t be your primary concern when hiring a contractor, your tradesman should. Find a competent and reliable installer and let him figure out what needs to be done. That’s what your paying him for.
Hire the best and brightest and you can’t go wrong.
by Michael Olding
Michael
