Winter Concrete Maintenance
Buffalo winter is notorious for snow. When the snow hits, it can be difficult to maintain your driveway. However, driveway maintenance is important and should continue during the colder months if you want to maintain your home’s curb appeal. Ice, snow, and frigid temperatures can do a number on your concrete driveway. Between the constant snow removal and trying to keep your surfaces ice-free, what can you do to protect your concrete from damage? Here are some tips for taking care of your concrete when the temperatures drop.
Clearing Snow And Ice
Driveway snow removal can be an absolute nightmare for homeowners. No matter how tired you are of shoveling, it is important to keep your driveway clear rather than to let ice and snow accumulate. If your driveway is frequently cleared, snow and ice will be less likely to freeze to your concrete, then thaw, which can cause cracking. However, it is important to note that when clearing your driveway, be careful. You don’t want spring to come and find that you ruined your driveway with each mound of snow scooped. Switch your metal shovel to a plastic one and always make sure your shovel head is at least half an inch away from the surface of your driveway. Scoop the snow gently, and don’t pierce thick ice with the blade of the shovel.
Heavy Vehicles
It is a good thing, in general, to avoid parking heavy vehicles or equipment on your driveway. Unless your concrete is designed for excess loads, these vehicles should be left off your driveway. While the occasional park won’t do any damage, if heavy vehicles are parked on your driveway for sustained periods of time, it can cause cracking and frost heaves. It is better to park these vehicles on the street or in a private lot.
Deicing chemicals
It is a well-known fact that deicing chemicals should be avoided. While they effectively melt ice, they will also penetrate the surface of your concrete. Then the chemicals go through the freeze/thaw cycle, which can cause problems like scaling or spalling. This is an easy way to take years of the lifespan of your driveway. Check for something with calcium chloride as an ingredient for a safer alternative. Rock salt is an alternative. While it won’t harm your driveway directly, it can harm vegetation in your yard and corrode metal. In any case, deicing chemicals and salts should not be used on driveways less than a year old. The best way to add traction to an icy driveway and protect your driveway is to use kitty litter or sand.
Call Bravo! Concrete Maintenance Today!
Winter is coming! Ask about our technologically advanced sealers with Advanced Salt Protection. Protect your investment from oil stains, efflorescence, freeze/thaw and road salt intrusions. These penetrating sealers will strengthen and densify your concrete for many years eliminating sealing on a yearly basis.