Tip of the week: How to winter-proof concrete

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.

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Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel