Hardscaping in freezing temperatures

[Mbella]

We've discussed winter work, but I am curious: For the guys that hardscape through the winter, what do you do to keep working on hardscapes when the temps are below freezing? For example: Heaters, concrete blankets, etc.

[cgland]

Well, my basic rule is.........if I can get the base in before it freezes, I'm good! I can always heat the sand up w/ heaters, etc. but if my base is not in there is no way I will install.

Chris

[Mbella]

What if you have the base installed, it becomes saturated from rain and then freezes? Do you protect it, heat it, or walk away?

[cgland]

We do our best to tarp it and keep it dry, but if it does happen we will most likely run some torpedos and throw down some lime. If that doesn't work we will walk away until Spring.

CHris

[Colonial]

We lucky can store our sand and small amount of base inside. Where our shop is located has alot of big open warehouses owners let us store small quantities inside during the winter. As far as out on jobs we bought one of those Camping canopies and covered the sides on smaller jobs and put heaters up. On big ones a few torpedo heaters and warm clothes. Wrose comes to worse it goes it sits.

[mrusk]

I'll let you know in about 4 weeks how winter work goes.

[Mbella]

I'll let you know in about 4 weeks how winter work goes.

Matt, where is your business located?

[mrusk]

Northern nj. Errrr I will let you know how it goes next week.

[kris]

I understand how it is nice to keep working but is it worth all the extra effort? Is your help kept around anyway doing other tasks so they don't mind working much shorter hours out on site?

We don't go ahead doing base work so we can keep hardscaping and generally when we shut down , we shut down. There have been a few times where it has cleared up and we have gotten a project done but that would normally be a tree planting job or something else commercial.