Ahh, but now winter is arriving, and you’re already dreaming of when you can start spending time on your patio again. To do that, you’ll need to take good care of your pavers over the winter. Cold, snow, and ice can be rough on your pavers. Harsh weather will do a lot of damage if you don’t take care of those pavers properly.
There are a few simple steps that will help to ensure that your new concrete product reaches its full potential.
Use Caution with Deicers – while concrete is a very durable product, proper care is a requirement for long lasting beauty and wear. The use of deicing chemicals can be detrimental to a new concrete surface. Here are a few guidelines:
Avoid Using Deicers the First Year – concrete continues to gain strength. While some deicers, such as salt, do not chemically react with the concrete, they increase the number of freeze/thaw cycles the concrete must go through. This has the potential of damaging the concrete until it has reached its maximum strength. DON’T use Deicers with Ammonium Nitrate or Ammonium Sulphate, EVER. These chemicals are often packaged and sold as deicers, but they will rapidly disintegrate concrete. Be cautious of products that claim to “be safe for use on concrete.” Avoid any deicing material the first year if possible, while the concrete is gaining strength.
Sand is Safe – Use sand anytime. One of the few safe materials to use to make the concrete surface skid resistant is plain sand. This can be purchased at many locations.
ALWAYS put safety before the appearance of your patio, driveway, sidewalks, or stairs.
After the First Full Year – you may use small amounts of pelletized calcium chloride. Follow label directions.
If you need assistance keeping your pavers looking great, we can help. Contact Hufnagel today at 201-869-5680. We’ll make sure you enjoy your patio for years to come!
