Winter is right around the corner, and icy weather is already here. Left unprotected, cold temperatures and nasty weather can have a big impact on your concrete.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can prepare your concrete for the winter weather so you can keep your materials safe from the cold.
Why is it important to winterize concrete?
There’s a reason why road repairs are common in the summer and that’s because winter weather often makes concrete damage worse. This is because unsealed concrete is porous and absorbs water from rain and snow. When temperatures get cold, the water that’s soaked into the unsealed concrete expands.
Expanding water puts pressure on your unsealed concrete from the inside out. This results in cracks, degraded structural integrity, and a shortened lifespan on your concrete.
Leaving your concrete exposed to the elements can also impact the rest of the construction site or property. Unsealed concrete that’s cracked in the cold weather leaves room for water to sneak its way beneath other concrete slabs. When the water freezes and expands, it shifts the soil under those slabs and creates an uneven area.
How do you properly winterize concrete?
There are three steps you need to take to properly get your concrete ready for the winter weather. These steps include:
- Checking your sealant. Unsealed concrete can be easily damaged by the elements. Apply a pre-winter sealant quickly to keep your concrete safe.
- Replacing any damaged cement early. Cracked concrete won’t make it through the winter if it’s majorly damaged. Replace any damaged areas before the problem gets work and winter officially sets in.
- Installing a containment mat. Containment mats help to prevent water from spilling on your concrete, which will reduce the risk of having to replace your concrete in the spring.
Looking for a concrete contractors Delaware companies trust?
The concrete industry is worth more than $37 billion and employs over 2 million people in the United States. But it can be tricky to find a concrete company that employees concrete contractors you can rely on for a great job from start to finish. That’s where GFP Cement comes in.
GFP Cement is the concrete company you can trust for concrete quality and productivity management. For more information about our contractors and services, contact GFP Cement today.