Level concrete slabs can get damaged during the winter months. Due to the vitality of the concrete, cold nights and semi-warm days cause issues and may wreck your concrete. Many people think that winters don’t affect level concrete. This is a misconception. Concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios can crack or shift when the weather drops.
Snow can also cause a significant amount of damage to concrete, as well as your overall property. However, there are some measures you can take to care of level concrete during the winter months. Here is what our team of professionals at Utah Concrete Lifting suggests you should be doing to maintain your concrete walkways, decks, and driveways during the winters:
1. Take Measures Immediately If You Notice Concrete Slabs Sinking
Settling concrete is an issue many people face. This is because of the weather conditions and the type of soil used in Utah. Many homeowners show concern about how sturdy a concrete slab is, especially when the levels of the driveway, patio, or sidewalk show signs of sinking and becoming uneven.
If you see concrete slabs deteriorating, remember that it is all downhill from there unless you address the problem immediately.
2. Don’t Allow Direct Water Runoff on Concrete Slabs
Soil erosion is responsible for concrete surfaces sinking and settling. It ensures that the ground soil that forms the foundation of concrete slabs does not deteriorate. All you need to do is make sure the gutter downspouts are positioned away from the concrete slabs. Downspouts that do not take water away from homes and surfaces are responsible for the washout of soil. This eventually leads to concrete surfaces sinking.
Moreover, it is important to keep a lookout for the edges of the slabs- you do not want rainwater pools to be forming. After a storm, make sure to give your house a thorough inspection. If water seems through the concrete slabs, the edges will be affected. To prevent this, fill the edges with soil. This will stop water displacement.
3. Remove Tree Roots
Did you know that tree roots underneath concrete surfaces can damage your property? Tree roots that lie at close proximity to concrete driveways can buckle concrete. As long as there is moisture in the soil, tree roots will continue to grow.
Even though tree root removal can solve all your problems, if you don’t want to opt for that, our team of professionals can help you out. However, make sure to sort out this issue as if gravel is layered below concrete slabs, the roots will continue to expand, causing more damage. Whatever you do, avoid getting the concrete repoured as this is an expensive option that will require loads of professional help.
Remember to clean the cement slabs during the winter months by power-washing them routinely. Moreover, keep concrete surfaces clear off ice and snow. When doing this, stay away from ice melt chemicals as these will deteriorate concrete slabs. Lastly, park your vehicles in the street so that your concrete slab’s integrity is not compromised.
