Being one of the most sturdy construction materials around, Concrete seldom requires heavy expenses once it’s installed. However, that’s only until you protect it from the tortures of changing weather conditions.
Winters bring in the freeze-thaw cycles concrete, as a porous material, is not very well-suited to.
And let’s face it, getting a new concrete driveway, sidewalk, or patio is not an everyday investment. So, in general, the best course of action is protecting it from snow and ice as much as you can.
Luckily, you still got time on your hands. There’s much more you can do before winter comes to ensure your concrete continues to be in good shape.
Main Infrastructure presents the measures you can take today for Winterizing Concrete Structure. But first, let’s see why you need it in the first place.
Effects of Cold Temperature on Concrete
Concrete is not impermeable by nature and that, unfortunately, leads to water penetration.
Now, this is usually not a huge cause for concern during warm weather or when the temperature is soaring. High temperatures technically don’t allow the water to remain trapped inside the surface as it evaporates rapidly.
However, cold temperatures cause this same moisture to get trapped, freeze, and expand.
As the water freezes and expands beneath the Surface, it puts undue pressure from within. So, there’s a high probability that you’ll be noticing cracks when the temperature rises again and the water inside the surface melts.
At this stage, the structural integrity of the concrete has already been compromised.
What’s worse is the existing cracks will present a new set of challenges as they widen further from freezing water.
The solution?
Being proactive and taking early measures to get some Concrete Work done can pay off big time.
Here’s our two cents for winterizing concrete surfaces and saving it from the seasonal cycle of damage.
Tips for Winterizing Concrete Before the Cold Weather Hits
Protecting your concrete structure from heavy damage starts with fixing the already present issues.
Have you been noticing any signs of damage or cracks on the surface lately?
The first step is to get them repaired.
Expending a little on the Concrete Repair at this point helps you steer clear of the complications of a colder climate.
#1. Repair Any Surface Spalling and Cracks
Concrete spalling is a common condition where the surface starts to chip away. Though, this peeling away of the part of the concrete makes the surface susceptible to further damage.
Naturally, this kind of concrete surface is in no way prepared to handle the attack of cold temperatures.
What you can do is resurface the concrete with an overlay. Applying a Concrete Resurfacing mixture usually blends well with the existing material and creates a well-finished look.
However, to repair cracks, a much more cost-effective solution is to fill them with a crack sealant. The sealant has natural flexibility to it which will adhere to the surrounding of the cracks.
This means the sealant will stay intact even with the temperature fluctuations. Or to put it simply, the sealant will have the capacity to move with the expansion and contraction in the concrete
When it comes to winterizing concrete, the timing of repairs is everything. Our proactive approach to Concrete Maintenance and Repair will sort that out for you.
#2. Sealing the Concrete Surface
Once you finish the repair work, the next step in line is sealing the concrete. In fact, sealing is almost essential even if repairs weren’t needed prior to it.
The objective here is to protect the surface from freezing temperatures. By applying a sealer, you’ll be essentially preventing any moisture from getting past the surface by soaking in.
However, it’s a preventative measure by its very nature and you need to take action before winter arrives. Experts even recommend sealing your driveway or any other concrete surface every few years. This way the impending winter months will not be able to do much harm to your concrete structures.
Moreover, once the Concrete Paving Contractor seals the surface, the new-like concrete will also have protection from other foreign particles.
If you’ve done crack filling or repairs recently, make sure to also seal the surface for all-round protection.
#3. Decorative Concrete Overlay
This is rather uncommon but an effective way to add a layer of protection for winterizing concrete. Not to mention, overlaying a decorative finish will also add to the looks.
Further, a decorative concrete overlay also prevents erosion from rains and freeze-thaw related to seasonal fluctuations. It’ll effectively cover any imperfections and discolorations that may be apparent after years of wear and tear.
However, the best way to complement this visual addition will be to further seal the concrete overlay. This drives up the already present strength and longevity of the material.
When choosing a decorative overlay, you have an endless range of options at your disposal. Create the lookalike of cobblestone or flagstone without actually spending on the real thing.
Also, a wide range of colours and patterns will allow you to get creative and create something unique.
Once you seal the overlay, the result is a durable structure resistant to scaling and seasonal upheavals.
#4. Avoiding Water Damage
With moisture being the main cause behind concrete damage in winters, you have to keep water from puddling onto the surface.
By keeping water away from the surface, you prevent the concrete from contracting and expanding when the temperature dips and rises.
Thus, it’s important to direct the drainage away from the driveway. However, a faulty drainage system is the biggest impeding factor to that.
Installation of a proper drainage channel is one of the factors in keeping the concrete in good condition irrespective of the seasonal fluctuations. Luckily, there are many budget-friendly and effective drainage solutions to prevent water pooling.
Not taking necessary steps on time, though, will eventually lead to numerous problems down the line. Needless to say, these issues will be much more bothersome when the winter comes along.
Henceforth, our experts suggest investing in a proper water management system to avoid expensive Concrete Driveway Repairs.
Keeping your concrete structure protected from winters is all about taking the right steps at the right time. After all, there’s no use in crying over spilled milk. Likewise, once the winter damage is done, it’s done.
We hope the above steps have offered you the needful insight into how to take care of your concrete surface before the winter arrives.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for further assistance or personalized repair services!
Protect Your Concrete All Year Long from Seasonal Damage
Count on the Expertise of Main Infrastructure!!
With winters just around the corner in Toronto, it makes sense to winterize your concrete right away.
Experts at Main Infrastructure have the skills to help you maintain the condition of your concrete structure all through the year.
And if seasonal damage has already taken its toll, it’s time to hire our intensive repair services to fix them right away.
Main Infrastructure offers Concrete Paving Services including top-notch installation and maintenance for a concrete finish that pays off in the long run.
Our professionals will help you sort out the best repair solutions as per the circumstances.
Hire us for any commercial or civil projects involving:
- Concrete Paving
- Colored Concrete Pavements
- Concrete Sidewalks, Walkways & Paths
- Crack Repair; Epoxy Injection and Urethane Grout Injection
- Roadway Curbs and Curbing Repair
- Concrete Sawing / Cutting
- Concrete Parking Lots
And much more!!
We customize our services to be highly economical and well-suited to your requirements.
Get in touch with our team @ +1 (416) 514 0809 to get your concrete ready for the winters.
The post Winterizing Concrete Surfaces: Steps to Take Before Winter appeared first on Main Infrastructure Blog.
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