As we enter winter, many American cities will start receiving heavy snowfall. Unfortunately, this weather can be quite unforgiving to pavers. It can degrade the paver materials, reducing their lifespan. But, there are things you can do in the next few months to protect your pavers.
Well, here are some of the ways to protect pavers in the winter months.
- Never apply rock salt to pavers
A deicing agent like rock salt (sodium chloride) is safe to use only on asphalt. Property owners should avoid using it on other surfaces, including pavers. It may damage the material. Besides that, having a high salt content in the soil can also cause harm to most of the surrounding plants and grass.
What should you use instead? Try out sand after cleaning your paver driveway. It’s a cheaper alternative, which also provides pavers with an excellent level of traction. And, of course, it is environmentally friendly.
- Protect pavers with a sealant
Sealers offer an added layer of protection that can resist the effects of harsh weather conditions, helping homeowners to avoid the costly winter damage repairs for several years. Without a sealant, pavers become susceptible to shifting. It is because water on the surface can seep through cracks, causing the material to expand and contract.
Sealers can provide the needed protection for about five years. So you will need to replace them. Sealing is cost-effective in the long run. You are likely to incur a fraction of the repair costs.
- Pay attention to paver design and quality
Paver driveways subjected to an excessive amount of snowfall deserve a little more attention to prevent costly repairs. Such areas need to be designed to withstand heavy objects like snowplows.
Frequent plowing can be quite damaging to a low-quality paver material, as it can cause cracks and scratches that may ruin the aesthetic appeal. Pavers with aggressive textures are more prone to damage. So, it is a good idea to avoid them.
- Use a composite decking material
Composite decking materials for outdoor deck applications can stand up pretty well to harsh winter conditions. The materials can protect your pavers and deck surfaces for several years. However, it is recommended to seal them to avoid damage that might be caused by surface runoff.
- Choose paver color with fast ice-melting speed
Many property owners don’t know that color can affect the rate at which snow clears from the paver surfaces. A darker color will absorb more heat, thus speeding up the melting of snow. With a reduced toll on the pavers, the degradation process also slows. Therefore, color is worth your consideration.
Final Word
Invest in high-quality paver materials with high pounds per square inch (PSI), even though the upfront costs may be a bit high. Materials with high PSI are generally considered strong enough to endure the winter conditions. Even the deicing agents will likely have minimal effects on such pavers.
By following the above preventative tips, your pavers may offer a long service life with few repairs. You will certainly save a significant amount of money in the long run.
Schedule a Quote from JJW Brick Today!
Give JJW Brick a call today for your Oakland, MI home. We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.
