The winter season is by far the hardest on your concrete.
Your concrete takes a pounding all year long, of course, but during the winter months it deals with just as much – if not more – traffic, as well as the strains of winter weather and precipitation.
Also due to the cold and inclement weather, it receives less care, attention, and upkeep than in warmer months. So when the snow melts and the flowers start to bloom next spring your concrete could surface looking much worse for the wear.
We have some ideas and tips for you to try to keep your concrete looking fresh, new, and durable.
How to Take Care of Your Concrete
Check for Damage Before Heavy Winter
Sometimes damage, like cracks or crumbling concrete, exists before the winter issues begin. This concrete damage can cause even more serious problems when the precipitation and weather of winter arrive.
Water, ice, and snow can get into the cracks, then freeze and expand further, causing bigger problems. Check out your concrete now for cracks, crumbling, or damage.
A professional like Hard Rock Concrete Coatings can repair your concrete before winter makes a little damage worse.
Add Concrete Before Frozen Snow
If there’s a walkway on your property that gets frozen, dried out, downtrodden, and damaged during the wet, frozen, snowy winter months, now is a good time to add concrete!
A concrete walkway can be safer and easier to maintain, as well as prevent you from adding more grass or repairing the damage done during the winter months.
Even just concrete stepping stones can make a difference.
Seal or Epoxy-Coat Your Concrete
Adding an extra layer of protection to your concrete can make it totally impervious to rain, snow, water, and ice. Not to mention it can add an extra layer of buffer against the scraping of shovels and snowblowers.
Sealing or adding epoxy layers to your concrete is an easy and affordable step that you can take to save yourself some grief in the spring.
Remove Snow Quickly
Obviously, it isn’t always possible, but removing the snow quickly is a good way to keep your concrete from becoming damaged. Make it a point to check the weather forecasts and wake up early to remove snow if possible.
Shovel before bed to prevent snow from compacting and freezing overnight. Create a snow removal schedule and involve your whole family!
Be Careful with Rock Salt
Salt can damage your concrete over time, did you know? Use it very sparingly, or even better – choose Magnesium Chloride instead.
It releases less chloride and is much less damaging to your concrete. Another safe option is kitty litter!
Cat litter provides some grit and traction while breaking through icy deposits on your concrete.
If you have concrete repair, laying, or upgrading needs – call or contact Hard Rock Concrete Coatings now to see what options you will have!
