Tips on How to Maintain Your Concrete During the Winter in Cleveland, OH
A visit and extended stay from Old Man Winter is nothing new to Clevelanders, but some property damage may be a bit of a shock. Harsh Cleveland winters can take a severe toll on concrete surfaces, from residential driveways to commercial walkways.
With temperatures frequently dropping below freezing and the city experiencing significant snowfall, fixing concrete cracks and proper concrete maintenance becomes crucial for preventing costly damage and ensuring the longevity of your concrete surfaces.
This article explains how to choose the right deicer for your concrete, protect and maintain your home’s concrete surfaces, and ensure your family’s safety.
Understanding Winter Concrete Damage
The primary culprits behind winter concrete damage in Cleveland are the freeze-thaw cycle and the use of chemical deicers.
The freeze-thaw cycle is particularly damaging in Cleveland due to frequent temperature fluctuations.
Concrete is a naturally porous material. When water seeps through concrete’s surface and freezes, it expands by approximately 9%, creating intense internal pressure. As temperatures rise and fall, this cycle repeats, leading to cracking, scaling, and spalling, and progressively weakening the concrete’s structure.
Common deicer agents, including salt, often worsen this damage.
The Impact of Salt on Concrete
While road salt (sodium chloride) and other deicers like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and magnesium nitrate effectively melt ice, they can be detrimental to concrete surfaces. These chemicals increase the frequency of the freeze-thaw cycle and create a chemical reaction that breaks down the concrete’s internal structure. Deicers containing ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are particularly aggressive and should be avoided entirely.
Signs of Concrete Damage
Common symptoms of concrete damage, whether linked to deicer agents or other causes, include:
- Surface Scaling: Flaking or peeling of the concrete surface
- Spalling: Chunks of concrete breaking away, exposing aggregate underneath
- Cracking Patterns: A network of small cracks appearing across the surface
- Discoloration: White, chalky residue indicating salt damage
- Pop-outs: Small holes where pieces of aggregate have broken loose
- Joint Deterioration: Damaged or crumbling concrete joints
Alternatives to Salt-Based Deicers
Instead of traditional deicers, consider these concrete-friendly alternatives:
- Potassium Acetate or Magnesium Acetate (CMA): These materials are less corrosive and safer for concrete
- Sand or Kitty Litter: Provides traction without chemical damage
- Heated Mats: Prevention-focused solution for high-traffic areas
- Commercial Snow-Melting Systems: Long-term solution for larger surfaces
Protecting Concrete Surfaces in Winter
- Seal concrete surfaces before winter
- Address concrete crack repair promptly
- Install and maintain proper drainage systems, including gutters and downspouts, to direct water away from concrete surfaces and prevent water accumulation
- Remove snow promptly to reduce the need for deicing chemicals
- Consider professional cracked cement repair for significant damage
Trust Ohio Basement Authority With Your Concrete Repair and Protection Needs
Protecting concrete surfaces during Cleveland winters requires a proactive approach focusing on prevention and proper maintenance. By understanding the mechanisms of winter damage, choosing appropriate deicing methods, and implementing protective measures, property owners can significantly extend the life of their concrete surfaces and avoid costly repairs.
Ohio Basement Authority has many years of experience with repairing and protecting damaged concrete from winter freeze-thaw cycles or deicer usage. Our state-of-the-art concrete leveling techniques bolster your concrete and the underlying soil, fixing concrete cracks and protecting it from unevenness and other damage. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free inspection and estimate!
Concrete FAQs
We recommend annual inspections, but any sudden changes in appearance should be addressed immediately. When you partner with Ohio Basement Authority for concrete lifting, you can take advantage of our annual service and maintenance programs. Our technicians return yearly to inspect your concrete to ensure its ongoing protection. Contact us to learn more.
Yes, our solutions are designed to withstand diverse environmental conditions—from rain and flooding to snow and droughts—maintaining stability and durability. Our PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam is guaranteed to never wash away or erode from underneath concrete, providing the concrete with lasting support. Contact Ohio Basement Authority today to learn more and to schedule a free inspection.
Oil drips from vehicles can absorb into concrete pores and react with the concrete, resulting in dark stains. Proper cleaning and sealing can help prevent this. Severe stains and chemicals can permeate the concrete, weaken its structure, and lead to cracks and sinking. Ohio Basement Authority protects damaged concrete with our unique concrete lifting system. Contact us to learn more and schedule a free inspection and estimate.
Related Resources
Holly Richards-Purpura
Disclaimer: By “concrete leveling,” we mean the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in most cases lifted, by means of our PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Ohio Basement Authority does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.
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