There is nothing more beautiful than a town covered in white snow. However, snow can play havoc for your pavers. This article discusses some simple measures you can take to ensure the well-being of your pavers during the winter season.
Use the Right Materials
If you live in an area where snow is a common occurrence, it’s a wise decision to put your money in the right materials. The use of composite decking has especially picked up over the last ten years as composite decking significantly reduces the problem of slippage and demands low maintenance. Further, composite decking also prevents water from seeping into the deck surface. If you have a wooden deck, it is critical to check your deck for any signs of cracks regularly. Water trickles into cracks and expands during the winter season, causing the cracks to become more prominent. Regular maintenance is, thus, critical.
Use High-Quality Pavers
Many homeowners readily agree to compromise on the quality of pavers to save costs. However, in the long run, this invariably proves to be a bad idea. Bad-quality pavers are easily affected by harsh winters, thereby leading to homeowners spending considerable money on repairing and maintenance. Thus, before buying pavers, check the strength of the concrete, and its absorption, porosity, and PSI strength. Similarly, it is also essential to give the concrete ample time to cure. Improperly cured pavers are easily affected by salt, ice, and water, which leads to further issues.
Design the Pavers to Meet the Weather Requirements
Pavers must be designed, keeping the weather conditions in mind. In the case of areas where snow is a frequent visitor, snowplows and trucks are a common sight. Thus, in such areas, pavers must be designed to accommodate trucks, snowplows, and other vehicles. Pavers that aren’t very aggressive in texture are an ideal choice for such areas. Similarly, dark-colored pavers trap heat and sunlight and cause the ice to melt quickly and, thus, are appropriate for snow-prone regions. Snowplows often cause the pavers to chip, and though chipping does not lead to any significant safety issues, it ruins the look of the house.
Be Wary of What De-icing Agents You Are Using
De-icing agents are frequently used to get rid of snow. Unfortunately, these deicing agents are harmful to the health of the concrete and, thus, the pavers. Experts recommend using rock salt instead of de-icing agents. If you have an extensive cover of plants and trees and, thus, do not want to use rock salt, you can use sand after a thorough cleanup of your pavements. Sand is affordable and environment-friendly and, therefore, is considered to be one of the best deicing agents. Lastly, homeowners must consider sealing their pavers, especially if harsh weather conditions are typical for them. Sealed pavers keep water, rock salt, and every other kind of harmful substance away from the pavers, thereby enhancing the life of pavers.
The Final Word
Pavers are an integral part of homes and must be maintained well. While most pavers come with a lifetime guarantee, in areas witnessing rough weather conditions, it is common for pavers to experience some damage. We hope the tips and tricks discussed above will help you maintain your pavers during the snow season.
Schedule a Quote from JJW Brick Today!
Give JJW Brick a call today to learn more about protecting and maintaining your brick pavers. We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS. We look forward to hearing from you!
