How to Winterize Your Concrete Surfaces (and Why You Need To!)

Winters in Ohio can be extremely rough on concrete. The best defense is to winterize your concrete surfaces before winter weather wreaks havoc.
 
Here’s what you need to do to prepare your concrete now, and why you need to in the first place.
Why Does Concrete Need to Be Winterized?Ohio has its share of sunny days during the winter, but we also tend to see several feet of snow and lots of ice, too. And in Ohio, where there’s ice, there’s salt.
 
The salt and ice, moisture, and extreme temperature changes can lead to cracking over a short time, leading to expensive repair jobs. Winterizing your concrete can help to avoid this damage and make your concrete surfaces last longer and look newer.
Step By Step: How to Winterize Your ConcreteAs a property owner, winterizing your concrete driveway and garage floor is part of a good maintenance strategy. Here’s how you can DIY concrete winterization like a pro:
1. Clean your concrete surfaces.Cracks are easier to see and seal when you start with a clean surface. Give your concrete a quick clean to remove debris and buildup that could be hiding imperfections. This way, you can do a thorough sealing job the first time.
2. Seal cracks and expansion joints with caulk.Water can enter and freeze in cracks and expansion joints, causing your concrete to heave and crack during the winter. Use a polyurethane caulk to create a waterproof seal for these crevices and prevent moisture from getting into them. You can choose a caulk to match the color of your driveway to make your handiwork less noticeable.
 
Side note: we also recommend doing this step when winter is over to take care of any minor damage that occurred during the winter.
 
 
3. Seal the concrete surface.If you have a concrete driveway or garage floor, you should also seal its entire surface. This helps to avoid pitting when water or brine seeps into all the hairline cracks you may have missed earlier.
 
After you clean the surface (pressure washing works best), rent a sealer pump to apply a thin, even coat of sealant on your concrete. Alternatively, you can roll a sealer onto the surface.
 
If you have an approach pad at the end of your driveway, it’s a good idea to double up the coats of sealant here. This is the area that takes the most abuse from foot traffic and cars.
 
For garage floors, many Ohio homeowners are turning to epoxy. This not only seals your concrete garage floor, but can also add an aesthetic look to your space. The process is similar to that of a concrete driveway: clean the surface, seal the cracks, and apply the coating.
Find a Concrete Contractor Near Dayton, OH!Need to winterize your concrete before it’s too late? Trust Concrete Dayton to match you with a qualified contractor!
 
Contact us today to find a concrete contractor near you!

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