Tips for Winterizing and De-icing Concrete Driveways

Source: Freepik.com

Wintertime safety is threatened by snow and ice. Driveways remain clean with proper preparation, protecting concrete in the process. This provides advice on winterizing, which includes deicing methods. Readers learn how to preserve surfaces over the winter months. Being ready is essential for safety.

Remove Debris in the Fall

Sweep away fallen leaves and dirt before temperatures drop, preventing bond to concrete. Debris-covered surfaces increase slipping. Bare concrete allows water drainage and deicer contact. Leaves, dirt, and debris should be swept away before temperatures drop below freezing. Otherwise, they can bond to wet concrete when walked/driven over and be difficult to remove. Bare concrete allows proper drainage and direct contact with deicers.

Protect from Damage

Stacking firewood or storing implements elsewhere prevents stains, and cracks from weight stress. Concrete endures freezing cycles without immediate damage, taking precautions to avoid weakening. Heavy items implemented on driveways over winter like firewood stacks or implements can leave stains or cracks if the concrete driveways freezes and thaws under the weight. Providing coverage or storing elsewhere prevents weakening.

Repair Issues Now

Autumn provides convenient weather for concrete repairs before the ground hardens for winter. Settling cracks prevents deeper ice intrusion later. Patches address low spots preventing icing. Fall is an ideal time while the weather is still mild to patch cracks, fill potholes, or address drainage issues before the ground freezes. This prevents deeper damage like ice or water intrusion into existing flaws over winter.

Monitor Hydrant Areas

Sprinkler systems drain and blow out below frost lines before initial freeze. Hydrants too. Water trapped inside pipes expands during sudden cold snapping fragile lines otherwise. Draining sprinklers and blowing out pipes below the frost line ensures no water is trapped inside to burst pipes during sudden freezing. Hydrants also need to be fully drained.

Wet sidewalks with Sand

Sprinkling grit on wet concrete raises the freezing point allowing safe walking on icy surfaces. Sand adheres until dry providing traction without damaging concrete surfaces like salt. Sprinkle dry sand on wet, icy concrete where temperatures are near freezing. The grit provides traction but won’t harm surfaces like salt can over time. It stays until trafficked areas dry.

Use Calcium Chloride

Less corrosive and twice as effective as rock salt, calcium chloride especially aids in melting thick ice. Small amounts effectively dissolve ice without continuing to eat away at concrete over time like salt. Less corrosive than rock salt, it also melts ice more efficiently. Small amounts are needed to prevent continued concrete degradation that salt can cause with overuse.

Clear Snow Promptly

Shoveling immediately after snowfall prevents compaction onto concrete from traffic or melting. Hardened snowpacks become difficult to remove and increase weight stresses on concrete over time. Shoveling shortly after a snowfall prevents compaction by traffic or melting into hardbacks that damage concrete by their weight and are harder to remove later if fully set.

Conclusion

Driveways are maintained throughout the winter with careful planning and upkeep. Concrete may be long-term protected using safe deckers by clearing snow and ice quickly, repairing damage, keeping an eye on drainage, and removing debris.