If you’ve invested in pattern concrete for your home, it’s important to be aware of how to properly care for and maintain your driveway or backyard as the seasons change. With summer coming to an end, the cold weather is quickly approaching, so it’s important to be aware of proper care practices to ensure your concrete maintains its appearance and durability. Winter is by far the most critical season in which your concrete will endure the most abuse.
Here are some tips to help you care for your concrete as we move into the colder months:
Parking Cautiously
During most of the year, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about caring for your pattern concrete aside from ensuring that antifreeze and oil don’t leak from your car onto your driveway. Winter, on the other hand, brings with it a whole other set of challenges. Since streets will likely be salted, be mindful that when you drive on the road and then park your car in your driveway, salt remnants on your wheels or on the undercarriage of your vehicle can fall and cause damage. To prevent this, you may want to wipe down your car before parking it on your driveway.
Sealing
Fall is a great time to seal your pattern concrete if you have not already done so in the last couple of years . Before the weather gets too cold, it’s a good idea to have your concrete scrubbed down thoroughly to remove any buildup or dirt and have a sealant applied. This can help protect the concrete from the wear and tear that winter brings whilst preventing stains and preserving the lifespan of your driveway. As well, it helps to maintain the visual appeal of the concrete.
Snow Removal
When it comes to snow removal, it’s important to try to clear the pattern concrete surfaces around your home quickly, if at all possible. Ice and snow causes a freezing and thawing cycle that causes the concrete to expand and contract which can cause cracking. This can be detrimental to your concrete as cracks tend to progress and when larger cracks form, more water can seep into the crevices and weaken your driveway or patio. Also, be sure to use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one, as metal can damage your concrete or chip away at the sealer, thereby exposing your concrete to further damage.
Ice Melting
It’s vital to ensure you do not use any deicing products on concrete during the first winter of installation. In subsequent winters, you may use deicing products but make sure they are concrete friendly and do not contain chemicals such as magnesium chloride, sugar beets, nitrates, or urea. If possible, however, try to be proactive with snow removal so you can limit deicing products to when only absolutely necessary.
For more information on how to properly care for your pattern concrete surfaces during the colder months, or to schedule a sealing appointment, call Seal Tech Inc. at 416-966-4200.
