Concretes are the best choice for your exteriors! No matter how vast the expanse is, and whether there’s a lot of traffic on the area where you spread it, concrete stays with you for years. They are tough, pretty affordable, even look good and last longer than most of the other flooring options. But still, there are a few things that may harm them, and one of them is — winters!
Do you know when you are busy enjoying snowballs and devouring cups of hot coffee, your driveway is undergoing a tough time? They can get cracked and even start having gaps in between due to accumulation of snow and its subsequent thawing. Caring for it during this time is essential for its better life for long.
How to care for your concrete during winter?
You may not know, but prolonged exposure to the chilled water on your driveway, along with salt and road debris, puts lots of strain on your concrete. Regardless of how well your concrete driveways in Melbourne by Cura Concrete were laid, if not properly sealed, your floor can be a victim to ice damage because water seeping into it, thereby freezing the concrete. That’s the reason why you have to follow the below guidelines to ensure it is well cared for even during winters, and doesn’t show problems after the season gets over.
- Don’t let the snow settle for long — We know it’s snowing heavily, and you are probably tired of cleaning the driveway with a shovel. But that’s what you’ll have to do a lot to ensure your driveway stays intact. Because If your driveway is regularly cleared, snow wouldn’t freeze into the surface of the concrete. When this frozen snow thaws, it can cause cracking.
- Add an epoxy coating — Epoxy coating helps to safeguard such surfaces against direct exposure of snow and ice. Add this coating on your concrete to avoid any kinds of effect of snow on it.
- Ensure that snow plough blade doesn’t scrape your driveway — Whether you are hiring the professionals for the snow plough task or you’re doing the same by yourself, ensure the blade is at a good height above the ground so that it doesn’t scrape your concrete.
- Don’t use de-icing chemicals on the concrete — Deicing chemicals do melt ice, but they also penetrate into the surface of the concrete. Especially if the concrete has just been installed recently. Once these chemicals seep into your concrete, they do start freezing and thawing — and this can cause problems like scaling and spalling. Instead, you can try to get your driveway ice-free by using kitty litter or sand.
- Have your concrete sealed before winter — To ensure better safety of your concrete, clean them before the onset of winter and seal properly. If possible, hire a professional team to carry out the procedure.
Concrete driveways are a great addition to your home. They add to the curb appeal of your home and also provide a good surface for you to enjoy. To maintain its longevity, make sure that your concrete is safe during all seasons.
