Use the PowerBlanket for Just About Anything

If PowerBlankets were baseball players they would be utility players extraordinaire. Forgive the analogy, but as an avid baseball fan it seems like a natural comparison for me. Their “baseball” cards would be highly sought after among collectors. (I can see it now: “I’ll give you a Mickey Mantle and two Dizzy Dean cards for one PowerBlanket card.”) Versatile little things they are, and PowerBlankets are clutch performers in crucial situations.

 PowerBlankets are exceptional at such things as concrete curing or for any ground thaw tasks you may require. Eager to come to bat in key situations PowerBlanets provide a home field advantage and can make a difference in accomplishing large jobs in a timely manner. Yes, no need to call off the concrete pour when a cold front comes in as you can call on PowerBlankets to jump in and protect your fresh pour.

Also great as engine warmers and barrel warmers, PowerBlankets are as versatile as they are durable. Made for the rugged outdoors they are able to withstand the cold, wet elements and brutal job-site demands to accomplish the job. On a personal note, I can also tell you that they are quite good as foot warmers. Stick one under your desk and be comfortable as you work. This just may be my favorite PowerBlanket function.

Using the Outdoor Heating PowerBlanket Allows Cold Weather Work to Move Forward

Potholes and cracks in the road are never more evident than in the harsh winter months. The icy conditions only exacerbate the road conditions. This means some degree of road repair need to take place in the winter season. Companies hired to perform road work in the cold are turning to outdoor heating blankets to assist their repair.

A PowerBlanket concrete curing blanket is ideal when new cement needs to be poured. If the ground is frozen these multi-purpose outdoor heating mats can be used to first thaw the work area, then used once again to help cure the concrete properly.

Maintaining an even temperature when working with concrete is essential to proper curing. Without a steady temperature, cracks and improper curing occur making everyone unhappy with your work and the outcome. The insulated curing blanket uses electricity to keep temperatures at an ideal curing level as your road repair moves forward. The PowerBlanket is weatherproof so it can handle being left out in the snow or rain. They are durable enough to be driven on, walked over, and rolled up for storage. Road repair is inevitable and you can be competitive year round by investing in the smart outdoor heating / concrete curing mats provided by PowerBlanket.

Get Out on the Highway and Keep Your Motor Runnin’

There are parts of the world that see temperatures dip below zero, and those same parts of the world utilize vehicles, boats, planes and many other mechanical wonders housing engines. Those sturdy engines get cold, and starting them (or attempting to) in sub-zero temps is hard on the equipment. Utilizing an engine warmer has many advantages for both the equipment and the end user (the one trying to start that freezing engine).

A weatherproof, outdoor heating blanket such as the PowerBlanket offers a simple solution with several advantages to this cold weather problem. Owning large equipment that requires engines to start and stop several times a day in unflattering climates can pose frustration to the driver, pilot, or operator, and result in lost productivity. If an engine won't start due to chilly weather and even chillier coolant, using an engine warmer (also known as a block heater) eliminates the hassle of waiting for the sun to shine or some other form of Lady Luck to come along and magically warm the engine. Engine warmers using the technology of the PowerBlanket need only an outlet to plug into and presto, your engine stays warm with minimal need for electricity. An engine warmer not only keeps your engine's fluids warm, but your engine as well, reducing wear and tear on the motor and ultimately prolonging the life of most engines.

Using a reliable PowerBlanket engine warmer is a great way to help the environment as well. Often the rapid heat produced by an engine warmer aids in the initial vaporization of fuel in the engine. This translates to reduced pollution, as poor fuel vaporization causes higher emissions.

Clearly an engine warmer can eliminate the hassles of stalled and frigid engines. Frustration and worry are something you can leave behind you as you make tracks on the highway and keep your motor running!

Concrete Curing Blankets Keep the Project on Scheduled During Cold Winter Months

Winter construction and concrete curing is difficult, especially when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The problems get more difficult when building brick walls and curing concrete in masonry projects. Once the temperatures get below this number, the curing of the cement is reduced significantly, and in some cases it stops altogether. Here are a few tips for successfully completing a winter masonry project:

1. Heat the mortar ingredients. The PowerBlanket concrete curing blanket (also available as barrel warmers) is a useful solution for heating mortar ingredients and should be a standard tool for every year-round contractor.
2. Store units in a protected enclosure to prevent freezing. A more sophisticated way to accomplish a protected enclosure is to surround the construction area in poly-draped scaffolding. Freezing can be prevented using any number of the PowerBlanket options depending on the size of the job.
3. Once the mortar has been applied to masonry, keep the temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A PowerBlanket concrete curing blanket will adequately keep the mortar at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Curing at 70 degrees will make the mortar 3-times stronger than curing at lower temperatures. Multiple PowerBlankets can be attached together to accommodate varying job sizes.

Many other winter precautions are required to be in accordance with code. Some of these involve keeping materials off of the ground and covered. Depending on your specific weather conditions, codes will vary. Be sure to check local codes before beginning any masonry or building projects. 

Don't Let Cold Weather Hamper Your Concrete Curing

One of the most important aspects of curing concrete is keeping the temperature  between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Traditional solutions for this problem include using blankets or straw to keep concrete from freezing in cold weather; or simply delaying a concrete poor until fair weather arrives. For contractors seeking a more reliable long term solution, a PowerBlanket is a must have for every job site. 

The colder the temperature the concrete is exposed to, the longer it will take to set and reach its maximum strength. For example, concrete that is steady at 70 degrees Fahrenheit will set in approximately six hours. Concrete that is at 40 degree Fahrenheit will take 14 hours to reach maximum strength. In addition, concrete that cures at 70 degree Fahrenheit will be almost three times as strong as concrete curing at 40 degrees. Bottom line: for perfect concrete every time, use a PowerBlanket during the curing process.