Concrete Delivery and Pouring at Altitude
Heading to the mountains this fall to catch the aspens changing or to hit the slopes with the first bit of snow? You might pass a project or two that On-Demand Concrete tackled, from infrastructure to cabin getaways.
This year, the On-Demand team went up and over Monarch Pass to pour concrete footings and a wall in a beautiful mountain home, working through a snow-storm, above the treeline. The unique challenge of delivering and pouring concrete at altitude is no joke, and a point of pride for our Colorado crew.
Read on to find out more about the importance of concrete footings and the challenges of delivering and pouring in the mountains.
Find Your Footing
Put simply, concrete footings are the solid base of any structure’s foundation, usually made with concrete reinforced with rebar and installed in a trench. Though there are different types depending on the structure, they are almost always the first thing built when starting a new construction project and help protect the structure from ground movement and more common afflictions like moisture settling into the foundation.
Installing a concrete footer at altitude comes with a few additional challenges, the first of which is dealing with the frost line (the depth at which the ground freezes). In regions with cold climates, footings must be installed below the frost line to prevent frost heaving, which occurs when water in the soil freezes, expands, and lifts the foundation. By placing the footings deep enough, usually below the frost line, you prevent the freeze-thaw cycle from affecting the stability of the foundation.
Pouring Concrete in the Mountains
There are other unique considerations that come with pouring concrete in the mountains. Sloped or uneven terrain requires specialized techniques for forming and pouring so that the concrete doesn’t shift or slump downhill during the pour. Oftentimes, rocky or unstable soil can also make forming and leveling difficult. Additional excavation and foundation stabilization using retaining walls or piles is sometimes necessary.
Concrete Delivery and Pouring Across Colorado
But by far the biggest challenge to completing your construction project in the mountains is accessibility. Many mountain homes and ranches are located where most companies can’t offer concrete delivery and pouring options.
On-Demand Concrete is committed to serving all of Colorado, from the eastern plains to communities above Monarch pass. If you’re considering a project in the mountains and need a team that you know will deliver, partner with On-Demand Concrete.