What are the common uses for ground thaw heaters? Well, there are several that keep construction sites, landscaping companies, Agriculture and Horticulture companies all working throughout tough and quick climate changes that present their projects with sudden and potentially damaging frozen ground during the colder months.
How do Ground Thaw Heaters Work
Preventing and removing ground frost is the primary function of a ground thaw heater. To remove ground frost, the hose of a ground heater is placed directly on the soil. It is then covered by an insulating blanket. This method can thaw about 6 inches of frost every 24 hours, which helps keep a construction project on schedule. To prevent the ground from freezing, it’s the same set up as removing ground frost.
Concrete Curing
Another use for ground thaw heathers is for curing concrete. After a pour, concrete must be allowed to cure. If the concrete freezes, the curing process may take longer or result in uneven curing or cracks. Freezing can reduce concrete strength by up to 50%.
A hydronic ground heater is capable of curing 10,000 square feet is used at the pour location to warm the ground to between 85 and 90 degrees. After the pour, the heater can be used to maintain the concrete's temperature until it has reached the required strength necessary for the cure.
Ground Thaw Project Specifics
1 Source Portable Air’s long term customer needed a plan to keep the project on schedule through the Winter. Our customer was working on 1/2 million square foot building for a retail facility.in Utah They had an incredibly tight schedule that dictated that they needed to pour concrete during the coldest part of the year. 1 Source Portable Air supplied 30 ground thaw heaters that allowed them to continue working through the Winter and keep their project on schedule without delay.
Ground Thaw for Industrial Projects
For industrial needs the use of ground thaw units are a bit different. These glycol heaters are used through thaw valves to prevent them from freezing. It also is used to keep fluids moving and from freezing. This is expecially true and needed in the Oil and Gas industries to keep product flowing and workflow efficient.
Construction Site Ground Thaw Use
Ground thaw heaters are a great use of defrosting the ground or prevention of the ground freezing for any construction site project that has to stay on schedule during winter months as well. It’s best to call someone who can handle the size of your project, knows how to install the ground thaws units properly based on the needs for the build or pouring of concrete, and is ready for this 24/7 in case of a surprise frost on the site. They can be used to de-ice sidewalks and walkways keeping jobsites safe for workers and the general public while the project continues on schedule and eliviates any costly delays.