Snow And Ice

REMOVAL

DONE RIGHT

In Chicago

Winter is inevitable and with the winter season comes snow and ice. While your paver walkway looks great during the summer months, how will it hold up over the course of the winter?  Concrete pavers are manufactured  at a very high compressive strength making them denser than poured concrete and less susceptible to flaking or cracking. This increased durability allows for some flexibility when it comes to winter maintenance. What steps should you take when a winter storm is approaching in order to maintain a safe environment while preserving the integrity of your concrete pavers?  While it may seem like a complicated topic, read on for some general  practices to follow!

Use a plastic, poly or Teflon shovel (Do not use a metal shovel).

1

If you don’t need to apply salt, resist the urge to do so.

2

If ice accumulates,  use a deicing agent sparingly (Cautiously applied Calcium Chloride  is recommended).

3

Avoid over spreading your deicing agent onto surrounding plant and turf area.

4

Once the winter season  has passed, wash off your pavers to remove any  excess residue.

5

Consider sealing your pavers to preserve their composition.

6

So, what type of “salt” is safe for my pavers?

Once you’ve removed all of your  snow, it is time to decide if the area requires salting. If temperatures and sun will melt the snow residue in a timely fashion, then consider resisting a salt application. If you’ve determined that you will need to apply a de-icing agent to your pavers, you should be prepared with the proper material. There are many de-icing agents available and the choices can  be overwhelming.

As the snow season winds down  and the temperatures begin to rise,  put away your shovel and bring out your garden hose to wash off any excess salt residue from the pavers and surrounding turf and planting areas. Consider calling us to have your  pavers power washed, re-sanded and sealed to ensure the longevity of  your investment. Congratulations,  you made it through another winter!