Tip of the week: How to winter-proof concrete
Repair existing cracks; Repair existing cracks; Go easy on the rock salt
Repair existing cracks. Cracks in concrete tend to beget more cracks. To repair them, widen them to a minimum of a quarter inch with a hammer and chisel, brush away the debris, and fill with a flexible polyurethane sealant using a caulk gun.
Clean and seal. “Repeated freezing and thawing” causes both flaking and cracking, so concrete needs to be waterproofed to prevent such damage. Use a pressure washer to clean off dirt, grease, and “other bond inhibitors.” Then apply a water-based acrylic sealer using a roller, brush, or garden sprayer.
Go easy on the rock salt. To extend the concrete’s life, keep your use of rock salt and chemical de-icers to a minimum. Whenever possible, just shovel away snow or ice and let the sun do the rest of the work.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Retrievals, series two: 'essential listening'
The Week Recommends The second instalment of this hard-hitting podcast delves into the 'appallingly common injustice' of women having C-sections without pain relief
-
Cool off at the best saltwater pools in the UK
The Week Recommends From 1930s Art Deco lidos to 'magical' tidal pools, these sheltered spots offer a safer alternative to sea swimming
-
Kinmen Islands: Taiwan's frontline with China
In Depth Just a few miles off the mainland, the Kinmen Islands could be attacked first if China invades Taiwan