HOW DOES A GROUND

HEATER WORK?

In the cold winter months, extra measures have to be taken in order to ensure that construction work continues just as it does in the summer. This can be tough because extra difficulties arise, including working with frozen ground that makes digging frustrating and labor intensive. One of the best ways to combat unyielding earth is to use a ground heater.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS

OF USING A GROUND

HEATER?

• Extended Working Season Throughout the Winter Months • Less Physical Strain on Workers, and Lessened Risk of Personal Injury • Improved Ability to Stay on Track with Project Timelines • Allows for Working With Temperamental Product (such as concrete, which must be kept at certain temperature levels in order to be successful)

WHAT IS A GROUND

HEATER?

Simply put, a ground heater is a tool that thaws out frozen ground, leaving it softer and much easier to work with for construction crews (or anyone else who may have a cold-weather digging project.) There are various types of ground heaters. Two main methods many construction companies use include hydronic heaters and ground thawing blankets. Let’s take a closer look at these options.

WHAT IS A HYDRONIC

HEATER?

A hydronic heater is a method that utilizes: • Boiler • Hose • Diesel fuel • Vapor Barrier • Insulated Blankets • Propylene Glycol Mixture. Now for the steps required when using a hydronic heater: • The hose is first laid out in loops over the entire ground area that needs to be heated. • A boiler uses diesel fuel to heat the propylene glycol mixture until it is heated thoroughly. The mixture effectively conducts heat. • The heated mixture is then pumped through the looped length of hose, which begins to heat the ground. • In order to keep moisture from escaping, a vapor barrier is used to cover the hose. • Insulated blankets are always put over the barrier in order to ensure that no heat escapes so the ground will heat properly. This type of heating method is beneficial in that it is flameless and provides hot, dry air to the ground that needs to be heated. Hydronic heaters can be used as a rental or purchased, depending on how much you plan to use it. This method takes time in order to lay out the hose across the ground. As you can see, this method also requires several pieces and attachment tools.

WHY USE GROUND

HEATERS?

As we mentioned, one of the main reasons ground heaters are so valuable on the construction site is that frozen ground can be almost impossible to work with, even with the presence of power tools! In addition, concrete applications can take a serious pause if the correct heating tools are not in place. If you’ve ever worked with concrete, you know that it simply cannot be poured on frozen ground. Doing so would cause the concrete to set at a temperature that is much too low, which would ultimately result in weakened concrete – up to 50 percent! Not to mention that once the ground thaws, it can cause settling that leads to eventual concrete cracks. The concrete has to be heated and cured at the correct temperature once poured as well. Ground heaters are absolutely essential when working with concrete in the freezing winter months.