How To Prevent Your Concrete Driveway From Cracking
Every year we search for the best ice melt for concrete on Google and often get confused with the answers we get. Concrete must be installed and cured for it to not develop cracks, especially during winters. Contractors must follow the steps and guidelines to lay concrete so that it does not crack with extreme freeze/thaw conditions.
Concrete is one of the most sustainable materials and a favorite among all commercial and residential property owners. Winter poses a problem for most owners because of the constant snow and freeze/thaw conditions. While there are several DIY methods for constructing patios, sidewalks, driveways, and pavements, you must follow the right steps to ensure they stay intact for several years.
Let us look at the best ice melt for concrete surfaces and ways to avoid it from cracking.
Curing the concrete
Concrete takes around a month to completely cure, and the biggest mistake homeowners make redoing their concrete driveways close to winter. It is crucial to give it time to settle by watering it in short intervals, steering it away from too much heat, and covering it in case of snowfall. Keeping it covered with an insulated blanket when the temperature dips below 25 degrees Celsius will help prevent the concrete from becoming too cold, thus not disturbing its internal structure and avoiding any cracks.
Best ice melt for concrete
While avoiding ice melt on new concrete less than a year old is best, there are chances of avoiding cracks by prudently applying ice melt. For example, using natural salt-free ingredients can help prevent dire consequences to your concrete driveway. It is a urea-modified product with special surfactants, inhibitors, and ice melting boosters and crystals that is the secret behind not harming or cracking any concrete surface.
Application on concrete
It is best to spread natural salt-free best ice melt on concrete surfaces before the first snowfall. It will help prevent the snow from not sticking to the surface and reduce the chances of harming its consistency. After the snowfall, you can use your ecofriendly urea-modified ice melt product again and spread it evenly around the driveway, sidewalk, and patio to avoid slipping.
Quick note: We may think applying a considerable amount of ice melt will help avoid any problems; however, you have to pay attention to the manual and not use too much ice melt.
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Conclusion
From curing the concrete, spacing the joints between the concrete slabs, to finding the best ice melt for concrete, Google, there are core steps you must follow to avoid cracking. Every ice melt comprises different ingredients and is a blend of sodium chloride with other chloride-based products. Using a 100% eco-friendly urea-modified product such as Safe Thaw will not only help you avoid concrete from cracking but will protect it from damage in the seasons to come.
A word of caution: While we may like to create homemade ice melt products, they will not give the desired outcome that we want in the long run. Winters can be pressing, and we must save our concrete driveway and other surfaces from cracking.
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Safe Paw
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Walk On Ice
Prevent slips at home, work or on the go, 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.
