Prepare Your Concrete for the Winter Weather Ahead

Although concrete may seem indestructible, unfortunately, that’s not the case. Time, weather, and other factors will take their toll on your concrete over the years. There are, however, ways to prevent and prolong wear and tear. This is especially important to be aware of during the colder months.

 Because concrete is so porous, it absorbs water, almost as a sponge would. While these sponge-like qualities do not cause an issue during the summer, those winter months are a whole different story. As your concrete starts to freeze and thaw (and sometimes freeze again), we start to see flaking, chipping and even cracking. While this is aesthetically unappealing, it can also cause issues later down the road. 

 Of course, there are ways to care for your concrete through the snow, ice, and rain. And, while a more obvious treatment would be salt and de-icing agents, it is important to be aware of the products you are using. De-icing agents can be effective in melting the snow and ice, but they also may contain many harmful chemicals that can cause further damage to your concrete. In order to avoid those chemicals, you may want to try more natural products like sand and different kinds of brine. 

 During the winter, it might be beneficial to avoid parking your vehicles in your driveway. Unfortunately, even if you choose to avoid those harmful chemicals when it comes to melting snow and ice, not everyone will follow suit. The salt and de-icing chemicals that you pass over along the way collect in fender wells, and then when the temperature warms enough, it will melt and drip onto your concrete. While it is understandable that no one likes to get into a cold car or trudge through the snow to get to their vehicle, it may be important to consider alternative options. Try parking on the street with a clear path to your car, or you can make sure to clean the wheel wells of your car before going inside for the day (plus its an added bonus of some TLC for your car).  

 While it is most common to treat and care for your driveway, it is important to remember that concrete may also be in your backyard, in your garage, and even in your basement. If you have a patio, stoop, garage floor, or concrete basement floor, you will want to make sure that you are caring for those areas as well. As you prepare your home for the winter, and stock up on those de-icing agents, make sure to check for cracks and current damage. It is important to assess and seal these areas before the temperature drops. 

 After you have checked your bases, stocked up on supplies, and have a better idea of what to do in order to protect your concrete this winter, you should figure out if you need to take any further action. If the damage to your pavement is bad enough, you may need to consider having repairs done before the winter. Taking care of minor issues may prevent a major issue when springtime rolls around. If you would like more information on how to prepare those damages, and a free estimate, give us a call at 330.810.2422. We would be happy to tell you more about our concrete lifting, leveling, stabilizing, and void-filling services!