Protect Your Concrete This Winter: Tips from Ascent Concrete Solutions

Protect Your Concrete This Winter: Tips from Ascent Concrete Solutions

Winter in northern Ohio can be brutal on concrete. Between the freeze-thaw cycles and the liberal use of de-icing salts, your concrete surfaces are under attack all season long. But don’t worry! At Ascent Concrete Solutions, we’ve got your back with expert advice straight from our team of concrete pros. Whether you’re in Lorain, Avon Lake, or Sheffield Lake, here’s what you need to know to keep your concrete looking great and standing strong.

What Do Salt and Snow Do to Concrete?

Salt and snow are a one-two punch for concrete surfaces. First, snow melts and water seeps into the tiny pores of the concrete. When temperatures drop again, that water freezes, expands, and causes cracks and scaling. Then, de-icing salts, while great for melting ice, intensify the problem by keeping the surface damp and accelerating freeze-thaw damage.

Keith O’Berg Sr., the undisputed champion of Lorain County concrete, explains: “Concrete is tough, but it’s not indestructible. Salt can act like kryptonite if it’s not handled properly. It eats away at the surface and can even cause deeper structural damage over time.”

And don’t forget the impact on reinforced concrete. Salt can seep in, corroding the rebar and compromising the integrity of your driveway, sidewalk, or patio. Not a pretty picture.

How to Protect Your Concrete from Winter Woes

Luckily, there are steps you can take to defend your concrete against the elements. Follow these expert tips to keep your surfaces safe:

1. Seal the Surface
   A high-quality sealer is your first line of defense. Keith O’Berg Sr. says, “Think of it as a winter coat for your concrete. Without it, you’re exposing your surfaces to every salt crystal and snowflake that comes along.” Sealers create a protective barrier that keeps moisture and salt from penetrating deep into the concrete.

2. Use De-Icing Alternatives
   Swap out traditional salt for less corrosive options like sand or calcium magnesium acetate. “Just because it’s looks like salt doesn’t mean it’s good for your concrete,” Keith Sr. advises.

3. Shovel Regularly and Maintain Drainage
   Clear snow as soon as possible to prevent water from sitting on the surface and seeping into cracks. Good drainage is key to avoiding pooling water that freezes overnight.

4. Repair Cracks Before Winter
   Even small cracks can become big problems once water gets in and freezes. Repair them early to avoid costly repairs later.

5. Protect New Concrete
   If you’ve had concrete poured in the last year, hold off on using salt. Fresh concrete is more porous and vulnerable to damage.

The Ascent Advantage

At Ascent Concrete Solutions, we’re here to help you prepare, protect, and repair your concrete. Whether it’s sealing a driveway in Avon Lake, repairing a sidewalk in Lorain, or pouring a fresh stamped patio in Sheffield Lake, our team has the expertise to handle it all. And when it comes to advice, you can count on us for a healthy dose of humor along with the facts.

Keith O’Berg Jr., our resident jokester, has this to add: “You wouldn’t go outside in winter without a coat, right? So why leave your concrete naked? Unless it’s streaking through Lorain County for attention, your concrete deserves some protection!”

Keith Sr. couldn’t resist chiming in: “Well, Jr. has a point, even if he makes it like he’s auditioning for a comedy club. But seriously, if you’re in northern Ohio, your concrete needs all the help it can get this time of year.”

Ready to Winter-Proof Your Concrete?

Don’t let salt and snow ruin your concrete this winter. Contact Ascent Concrete Solutions today for professional sealing, repairs, or new installations. As Keith Sr. always says, “A little prevention now saves you a lot of headaches later.” And who wouldn’t want a headache-free winter?

Call us to schedule your consultation—we’ll help your concrete survive and thrive, no matter what Ohio’s winter throws at it. Let’s get your concrete ready to face the snow, salt, and sleet like a champion! Call or Text Keith Sr. directly at (440) 320-6584.