Is the temp. too cold to cure concrete driveway repair caulk?

Question

Is the temp. too cold to cure concrete driveway repair caulk?

Answer 1

Sakrete Cold Patch

Answer 2

I am in Canada and concrete is used some here. It holds up really well, but is not the first choice because of the expense. I personally would love one, but my driveway is 800ft to the road and that doesn't include the parking or around back of the house....I would go broke putting in one of these. Definately worth the money if you can afford it. Never seen any problems here with them. Make sure you have it installed by professionals and be aware of the care/maintenance needed.

Answer 3

If it doesn't dry, check out a local concrete repair company, they can help you fix your driveway. If you're in the Maryland area I know a good company (http://www.Concreterestoration.com) that I have used in the past for my driveway work.

Answer 4

You probably know this already, but the caulk does not just dry... it cures. It is a chemical process which requires a certain temperature to complete to minimum specifications. My guess is you are pretty boarder line if you will obtain the minimum strength that the caulk is designed to provide. Although, you did put a tarp over the application which will offer additional warmth to the system and may have kept the caulk closer to the required 50 degrees. (Good thinking!)



You will only know in time if the caulk has properly cured. If not, it will crack and weather easily over this next year. At that point you will know that you will need to reapply during a warmer season the next year. If reapplication is needed I would suggest doing your best to pull out the old caulk before spending the time and money to put in new caulk.



The good news, most cement based products will continue to harden over time, so even if it hasn't cured by now it may just need a little more time to cure before you uncover it and allow traffic. I would continue to test a small area for harness and once it feels hardened allow another day or two for additional curing unless you really need to use the driveway.



Next time, if you need additional insulation, you can also spread hay or grass under the tarp to add additional dead air space. The ground remains warmer than 50 degrees for many weeks (in some places, all year) and would likely keep your concrete surface even warmer by trapping the earth's heat from escaping to the cold night air.

Answer 5

It may eventually dry. In the meantime, unroll bathroom tissue to cover the still wet caulk. This will form a thin layer over the wet caulk to keep it from tracking elsewhere.



Our city street crew, when filling holes, and cracks, covers the fresh tar with a layer of toilet paper. It eventually washes away. but keeps tar from spreading after application.



Then, hope for a warm spell, to harden the caulk.

Answer 6

It's not just the cold factor as much as is the moisture content in the air when the temp dips below 45 that effects this patching compound. What I recommend that you use can be purchased @ any Home Depot in the Building Materials Dept. This product is Made by Sika. They're known for the large veracity of epoxies that they manufacture. They make this epoxy that comes in a regular looking caulk tube with yellow & orange company logo colors that make it easily identifiable. the name of this product is "Crack Fix". It tends to be about three times the cost of any other similar product...However, after allowing this epoxy to set up for only 3 to 5 hours @ no less than 40 degrees, you'll end up with a patch that will be harder than your driveway already is, seriously. If you do end up going this route, after purchasing this product, it works best if you maintain a material temp of about 60 to 65 degrees prior to use...Just keep it indoors for a day prior to using & you'll be fine...Hope this all works out for you...Good Luck !!!