Ground Thawing Tips

For those of us that work in cold winter climates, we basically have two options available… close down shop for the winter or figure out a way to thaw frozen ground.  Keeping a construction crew productive requires us to be ready for anything mother nature can throw at us.  When temperatures dip below zero (like they have been this winter season), the life of a construction contractor gets very interesting.  One of my favorite tools for winter construction is a new product called the Powerblanket.  The guys over at Powerblanket have figured out a way to build a heavy duty outdoor construction blanket that runs off a standard 20 amp / 120V plug.  Their Extra Hot models get upwards of 150° F and can thaw up to 18″ of hard frozen ground in a 24 hour period.  Roll it out, plug it in, and walk away.  Powerblanket’s unique heat spreading technology delivers a barrier of heat to tough frozen ground and traps the heat with a layer of insulation.  The end result is a faster more economical thawing solution.  As frozen ground, ice, and snow melt… the heated moisture continues working its way deeper and deeper into the soil until thawing reaches required depths allowing you to begin excavation or concrete work.  They also offer 70° concrete curing blankets and a complete line of Multi-Duty Thaw & Cure blankets that double as a ground thawing and concrete curing solution.

Powerblanket is a UL/CSA rated product and is built with a vinyl outer shell rated to -20°F.  They alo provide an optional blue vinyl that is rated to -60°F.   Discounts are available for quantity orders and resellers.  I have listed several of their most popular ground thawing and ice removal blankets below.  Powerblanket can be reached by calling 877-927-6432 and have several hundred distributors in the US & Canada who stock and/or resell their heated blankets.  Powerblanket is powered by Green Heat Technology.

	3′ x 25′ Multi-Duty HEAT, THAW, CURE
	11′ x 23′ Multi-Duty HEAT, THAW, CURE
	6′ x 12′ Extra-Hot MONSTER THAWER
	4′ x 9′ Extra-Hot HEAT & THAW
	4′ x 5′ Extra-Hot Engine Warmer

Find a Powerblanket Distributor near you