When working construction in Wisconsin, you know it’s when, not if the ground freezes.  Parts of our state are already seeing freezing temperatures. When the ground is frozen, it becomes difficult to dig, pour concrete, or install utilities.  When you use ground thaw, it ensures that these activities can proceed smoothly.  Lincoln contractors supply and its experts are here to help you find the right solution.  Let’s dive into ground thaw. 

How and why ground thaw works

Did you know soil doesn’t freeze? It is the moisture around the soil that freezes. So, when ground thaw is in action, the heat is thawing the water around the soil particles and not the soil.

Best Practice 

It is best practice to remove most of the snow and ice first. It would take a lot of energy to try and remove snow and ice on the surface with ground thaw.

Once your site is cleared, it is now time to set up your ground thaw machine to melt the frozen moisture in the ground. If you notice water pooling on the surface, your thaw is not complete. If the lower levels of soil still have ice, the melted water cannot drain down into the water table. So, if that water isn’t going anywhere resume the thaw until it is no longer an issue.

Equipment

Now that we understand how the ground thaws, it’s time to talk about the equipment itself. These towable ground thaw machines can be hauled throughout your jobsite. Different models carry different lengths of hose along with it. The heaters run on diesel fuel generators that supply electricity to the burner and the pumps. Workers simply need to place the hose 12” on center and run it back and forth in a coiled direction, ensuring no frost will be missed.

Start Heating

Once the switch is turned on and the heating starts. The machines pump propylene glycol through the hoses. Once the fluid is returned to the burner, it is reheated and pumped back through the hose again.

To ensure proper thawing, the hoses are covered with a plastic film to keep the moisture in the ground, over the vapor barrier, insulated mats are placed down securely. With these added layers very little heat escapes, making this a very successful way to thaw frozen ground.

Lincoln Contractors Supply carries several brands including: Thawzall, Flextemp, Dryair, and Wacker Neuson.
Head on over to our rental page to view the models we carry.

Learn more from our experts who are here to answer all of your questions.