Repair a Concrete Driveway or Floor
Northern winters are rough on concrete. Driveways, floors, paths … for months on end, any outdoor concrete surface on your property has been exposed to continual freeze-thaw cycles and possibly salt or other chemical snowmelt products. You may not realize just how badly exterior concrete has
Posted — UpdatedDe-icing compounds which are sprinkled on the roads in winter can be very damaging to concrete, leading to pitting and spalling. Even if you yourself don't use them on your drive, the compounds are brought home on the body of your vehicle and are then ground in by your tires. In their original state, de-icers don't freeze easily due to their high salt content; instead, they seep into the concrete, freezing when the temperature drops drastically or when they have been sufficiently diluted by snow or rain. Deep pits should be filled and the entire surface coated with a bonding agent.
When snowmelt compounds evaporate, subflorescence (crystallization of salt particles) leads to flaking and spalling of your driveway and floor of your garage, as well as unattractive staining. Scrub the floor well with a solution that is designed to deal with the salt content (don't try to clean with just warm water or pressure washing, as these will tend to simply force the salt deeper into the concrete). Then apply a bonding agent if necessary.
Protect your exterior concrete by applying a penetrating sealer, preferably in spring (once outdoor temperatures have risen to 50 degrees F, even at night) or summer. Sealcoating your concrete driveway or flooring shields it against harsh sunshine in the warmer months, and will continue to protect it through the winter. Opinion varies as to frequency -- some concrete contractors recommend applying sealant annually, while others say that it is necessary only every 2-3 years. It depends to a great measure on the quality of the sealant and the severity of your local weather conditions. However often you sealcoat concrete, be aware that the process will increase surface slipperiness. To avoid this danger, add a non-slip compound to the mix.
After storms in winter or summer, promptly remove snow or clear away leaves and other debris, but be careful not to do further damage to the concrete by chopping up ice with the point of a shovel or, even worse, a pick.