Getting Concrete Ready for a Central Texas Freeze

Central Texas does not get many hard freezes, and that is part of the problem. When one does arrive, most homeowners have no plan for their driveways, steps, and walkways, and the products grabbed in a hurry at the hardware store can do more harm than the ice. Late October, while the weather is still mild, is a good time to get ready.

Water is what makes a freeze dangerous for concrete. Concrete is porous and holds moisture. When water in the pores or in open cracks freezes, it expands and pushes against the surrounding material. One freeze rarely ruins a sound slab, but repeated freezing and thawing, or water sitting in a low spot when the temperature drops, can widen cracks and flake the surface. The less water your concrete holds going into a cold snap, the better it comes through.

Start with drainage. Walk the property after a rain and note where water stands on driveways, walkways, and patios. Clear leaves and debris out of drains and channels. Make sure downspouts discharge away from walkways so roof water does not spread across the concrete and freeze into a slick sheet. Low spots that pond after every rain are worth having a contractor look at before they become a recurring hazard.

Seal what is open. Fill cracks and failed joint sealant with a flexible sealant made for concrete so water cannot collect inside. If your concrete is due for a sealer, fall's mild temperatures are a good window to apply one; check the product label for minimum application temperature and how long it needs to dry before rain.

Choose deicers carefully, or skip them. Rock salt can contribute to surface scaling, especially on newer concrete, and it corrodes steel reinforcement over time. Deicers containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate can attack concrete chemically and are best avoided entirely. Many concrete professionals advise against using any deicer on concrete less than about a year old. For most Central Texas freezes, sand for traction and a little patience until the sun comes out are enough. If you do use a deicer, choose one labeled as safe for concrete, use it sparingly, and rinse the residue away once the weather warms.

Mind the tools as well. Metal shovel blades and ice choppers can gouge the surface and chip the edges of joints, while a plastic shovel used gently is far kinder to the concrete. Pouring hot water on icy steps is a common shortcut, but the water often refreezes into an even slicker layer.

If new concrete is scheduled for the coming months, ask how the crew handles cold weather: watching the forecast, adjusting the pour date ahead of a cold front, and covering fresh concrete with insulated blankets so it does not freeze before it gains strength.

If last winter left cracks or flaking behind, the mild weeks of fall are a good time to deal with them. CIMA Concrete repairs damaged concrete and builds new driveways and walkways throughout the Lockhart area, so the next cold snap finds your flatwork in better shape.