How Snowblowers Can Damage Your Concrete Driveway
A snow-covered driveway can be a hassle to navigate, especially during harsh winters. A snow blower can be an efficient tool to clear the snow, making your driveway accessible and safe. In this article, we will discuss the proper use of a snow blower for driveway, address concerns about potential concrete damage, and introduce Safe Thaw as a safe winter maintenance solution.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, it can be tempting to use your snowblower to clear the driveway. But if you’re not careful, this can lead to some serious damage to your concrete driveway. In this article, we’ll discuss the most common forms of damage caused by snow blowers to concrete driveways!
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How to Use a Snow Blower on Driveway:
Follow these steps to effectively use a snow blower on your driveway:
- Read the Manual: Familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions in the user manual.
- Clear Obstacles: Remove any debris, such as rocks or branches, from your driveway before using the snow blower.
- Dress Properly: Wear warm clothing, gloves, and safety goggles to protect yourself from cold temperatures and flying debris.
- Choose the Right Setting: Adjust your best snow blower for concrete driveway’s height and speed settings based on the depth and type of snow.
- Clear in Rows: Work in parallel rows, overlapping slightly to ensure thorough snow removal.
- Watch for Direction: Aim the snow blower’s discharge chute away from people, cars, and windows to avoid accidents.
How to Repair Damaged Concrete Driveway?
If your concrete driveway has suffered damage due to snow, follow these steps for repair:
- Assess the Damage: Identify cracks, chips, or pits in the concrete surface.
- Clean the Area: Remove debris and clean the damaged area with water and a mild detergent.
- Fill Cracks: Use a concrete repair caulk or filler to seal cracks and chips.
- Smooth the Surface: After filling, smooth the surface with a trowel and allow it to dry.
- Seal the Concrete: Apply a concrete sealer to protect the repaired area and prevent future damage.
Common Forms of Damage Caused by Snow Blowers to Concrete Driveways!
Scarring: Scarring is a common problem caused by the snow blower’s impeller and can be repaired. Scarring is a shallow, narrow groove that can be taken care of by grinding and then repolishing the concrete. It’s not as bad as cracking or heaving, but scarring is still something you want to take care of as soon as possible.
Cracking: Concrete is a composite material made of sand, gravel, and cement. It’s strong but it can succumb to cracking or spalling if subjected to extreme stress. One of the most common ways for concrete cracks to form is when there are vibrations in the area where you’re standing (or sitting) as you walk or run around on your driveway during snowy days. Snowblowers create vibrations that can cause cracks in your driveway over time—and once they start forming, there’s no repairing them without replacing all of the affected concrete sections of your driveway.
Heaving: The surface of your concrete driveway is likely already damaged by the stress of weather, traffic, and other factors. However, it can be further deteriorated by a snowblower. It occurs when the weight of the snowblower pushes down on the surface and creates heaving in the concrete. Heaving is when the concrete rises and becomes uneven, creating bumps and dips which are incredibly difficult to repair. In such conditions, you must keep your snowblower off your driveway so as not to cause further damage or distress!
Rock Salt Damage To A Concrete Driveway: Not only snow blowers but traditional rock salts can cause crumbles and cracks in your concrete driveway. To prevent this damage and keep your driveway looking great, ensure that you’re using the right ice melt. Then how to melt ice on concrete without salt?
Introducing Safe Thaw:
Your winter maintenance solution Safe Thaw is a safe and effective ice melt solution that prevents concrete damage while efficiently melting snow and ice. Its dual-effect formula is safe for people, pets, plants, and surfaces, making it an ideal choice for your winter maintenance needs.
Safe Thaw is the best ice melt for concrete and is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Safe Thaw is a urea-modified product with special surfactants, glycols, ice melting boosters, and inhibitors. Safe Thaw melts the ice and reduces the risk of any injury caused by slipping, skidding, or falling on ice. The quick-acting ingredients are ideal for pre-application and post-application on snow and icy surfaces.
100% salt & chloride-free, fast acting Ice Management Solution
Conclusion
If you have a snowblower, it’s important to know how to use it safely. It’s not just your driveway that can be damaged by snow blowers, but also sidewalks and other concrete surfaces. If you don’t take care when using this machine, then it can cause damage that will cost thousands of dollars in repairs or replacement. More importantly, use the best ice melt for concrete – Safe Thaw.
FAQs
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Traction Magic
Stay safe on slippery surfaces with a product that’s 100% natural and safe for pets, people, and your property. Whether it’s sidewalks, steps, or even your car’s traction, Traction Magic is the go-to choice.
Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
