Slushy streets, icy driveways, and snowy sidewalks—winter is in full swing! While this is the perfect time to spread some holiday cheer, it, unfortunately, is not such a joyous time for your concrete garage.
Prolonged exposure to the water your tires drag in, along with salt and other road debris, can put excess strain on any concrete garage floor, regardless of how well it’s laid. Not to mention that, if not properly sealed, your garage floor is subject to ice damage as water seeps into it and freezes.
As the owner of such a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing asset, you’d be wise to show your concrete garage a little extra love in the wintertime. Creative Concrete, a Twin Cities concrete contractor, explains what this looks like below.
WATER AND CHEMICALS: THE TWO MOST DANGEROUS THINGS TO YOUR CONCRETE’S HEALTH
If your concrete garage has been properly sealed, below-freezing temperatures alone have little effect on it. It’s only if improperly sealed concrete is left exposed to water for a prolonged period of time, or if caustic deicers are allowed to penetrate the sealant, that your concrete is at risk.
Wintertime concrete care, as far as garages go, should focus on keeping these two things off your garage floor. This is easier said than done in some cases. Your car’s tires can track a whole bunch of gunk in, and the physical force exerted as your car pulls in grinds everything from pebbles to water into the concrete below.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARAGE FLOOR
However, there are plenty of ways you can keep your concrete garage floor strong throughout the winter months.
ADD AN EPOXY COATING
An epoxy coating on your concrete garage floor is the most efficient solution for protecting the surface long-term. Along with shielding your concrete from salt and winter grime and making it easier to sweep it up, a good epoxy coating should also stop water from penetrating the concrete, greatly increasing the lifespan of your garage floor.
DON’T USE DEICERS ON YOUR DRIVEWAY
Even though you’re not applying these materials to your garage floor itself, your tires and boots can still track them in. Keep your driveway shoveled and, if you must, use a non-water soluble material for traction on the ice.
RESEAL REGULARLY
Though it’s far too late to do this season (sealants must be applied above a certain temperature and with no water on the concrete), remember that sealing your concrete right before winter starts is one of the best ways to protect it.
Sealant acts as your concrete’s armor for both your garage floor and your concrete driveway. A fresh coat is one of the best ways to ensure your garage floor weathers the winter well.
SWEEP OFF SNOW AND ICE
After it snows, you shovel or snow-blow your driveway, right? And you shovel with a plastic snow shovel because you know metal ones can damage your concrete more easily, too, right?
Bring that same kind of care inside to your garage floor. A quick squeegee job after you get out of your vehicle stops water and deicers from eating at the concrete below. Going the extra mile when it comes to concrete care is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity.
IN SEARCH OF A SAVVY CONCRETE COMPANY? YOU’VE FOUND ONE IN CREATIVE CONCRETE
Our team would be happy to advise you regarding any aspect of winter concrete care. And when the snow melts, let us help you design and install beautiful concrete exteriors that boost your home’s curb appeal and make you love being in your own backyard. From driveways to patios, colored concrete to stamped designs, our team brings stylish individuality to where you live!
Give our office a call today at 612-414-7932 to request a quote!
