Preventing Winter Damage to Your Concrete Driveway and Walkways

Protect Your Concrete This Winter with These Expert Tips

Winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin brings freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice—conditions that can wreak havoc on your concrete driveway and walkways. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, road salt, and moisture buildup can cause cracking, spalling, and uneven surfaces, leading to expensive repairs.

At DBS Residential Solutions, we specialize in concrete lifting and protection to help homeowners safeguard their driveways, sidewalks, and patios from winter damage. Here’s how you can prevent costly concrete issues this season.

How Winter Damages Your Concrete

1. Freeze-Thaw Cycles Cause Cracks

   • Water seeps into tiny pores and cracks in your concrete.
   • When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, widening cracks over time.

2. De-icing Salts Accelerate Surface Damage

   • Common salts like calcium chloride melt ice, but they also penetrate concrete, leading to spalling and surface deterioration.
   • This creates a rough, flaky appearance and weakens the concrete structure.

3. Uneven Surfaces Due to Frost Heave

   • Moisture in the soil beneath your driveway freezes and expands, pushing up sections of concrete and causing it to become uneven and hazardous.

5 Ways to Protect Your Concrete This Winter

✅ 1. Seal Your Concrete Before the First Snow

• Applying a high-quality concrete sealant helps repel water and prevent moisture absorption, reducing freeze-thaw damage.

✅ 2. Avoid Using Harsh De-icers

• Instead of traditional rock salt, use sand or calcium magnesium acetate, which are less damaging to concrete.

✅ 3. Keep Walkways and Driveways Clear of Snow and Ice

• Shovel regularly to prevent ice buildup that can lead to cracking and deterioration.
• Use a plastic shovel to avoid scratching the concrete surface.

✅ 4. Repair Cracks and Uneven Slabs Early

• Small cracks can expand quickly in winter. Concrete leveling and crack sealing help prevent further damage.

✅ 5. Improve Drainage Around Your Driveway

• Ensure downspouts direct water away from walkways and driveways to prevent pooling and freezing.

DBS Residential Solutions: Your Winter Concrete Protection Experts

At DBS, we provide concrete repair, leveling, and sealing solutions to keep your home’s exterior surfaces in top shape through the harshest winters.

📞 Call us today at 1-218-525-0720 or 1-218-525-0720 for a FREE, no-obligation estimate!
📍 Serving homeowners across Minnesota and Wisconsin with expert concrete solutions.