Winter is inevitable and with the winter season comes snow and ice. While your paver walkway looks great during the summer months, how will it hold up over the course of the winter? Concrete pavers are manufactured at a very high compressive strength making them denser than poured concrete and less susceptible to flaking or cracking. This increased durability allows for some flexibility when it comes to winter maintenance. What steps should you take when a winter storm is approaching in order to maintain a safe environment while preserving the integrity of your concrete pavers? While it may seem like a complicated topic, read on for some general practices to follow!
Use a plastic, poly or Teflon shovel (Do not use a metal shovel).
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If ice accumulates, use a deicing agent sparingly (Cautiously applied Calcium Chloride is recommended).
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Once the winter season has passed, wash off your pavers to remove any excess residue.
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Once you’ve removed all of your snow, it is time to decide if the area requires salting. If temperatures and sun will melt the snow residue in a timely fashion, then consider resisting a salt application. If you’ve determined that you will need to apply a de-icing agent to your pavers, you should be prepared with the proper material. There are many de-icing agents available and the choices can be overwhelming.
As the snow season winds down and the temperatures begin to rise, put away your shovel and bring out your garden hose to wash off any excess salt residue from the pavers and surrounding turf and planting areas. Consider calling us to have your pavers power washed, re-sanded and sealed to ensure the longevity of your investment. Congratulations, you made it through another winter!