Dealing with harsh winter conditions during the cold season is never easy and melting ice without causing any damage to your concrete is just one of the issues you’ll have to deal with. The freezing weather will result in the build-up of ice on both concrete and paved surfaces which is very dangerous in both residential and commercial environments as family members, kids, pets, and employees may fall and experience a dangerous slip.
The good news is that there are ways of preventing these issues both at work and at home, but you have to be careful because not every option is safe and can cause damage to your concrete. Salt is the most common way of preventing ice and snow from buildup and is the first solution most homeowners and business owners turn to. While it’s a quick solution that can easily be applied to porches, sidewalks, and driveways, it’s important to remember that putting salt on these types of surfaces may result in damage. When salt is applied to concrete, it may cause it to pit and once this happens it can lead to cracks and even cause the concrete to break. Salt can also damage patio furniture and parts of your property so even though it may sound like a good solution, the reality is that it’s not, which is why you should consider safer alternatives.
Start by shoveling because this is an alternative that is a lot safer than salting pavement. While it’s a great place to start, it may not always be effective enough to remove the ice which can be tough to do when it’s stuck and a shovel sometimes cannot scrape it off. If this is the case try cat litter which is another alternative that works. Not only will this option create traction, but it also will not harm your outdoor surfaces the way salt does, so you won’t have to worry about any harmful effects. You can have peace of mind knowing it’s safe for children, employees, pets, and plants because natural cat litter is available, so you won’t have to worry about chemicals or toxins.
Another option you can consider is heated stair mats that can be placed on steps or other areas that are paved and won’t cause harm to your concrete in any way. Heated mats are definitely a great option because they are easy to use.
No matter how hard you try to prevent concrete damage, in many cases it is inevitable. With Ampac Paving and Concrete you’ll never have to worry because they can always help. They offer a variety of services including commercial and residential paving and are one of the top landscaping companies in the Richmond Hill, Toronto, and Vaughan areas so give them a call today!
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