Is The Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damaging Your Concrete?

Does Your Concrete Have Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damage?

Now that the ice has thawed and the snow has melted here in New Hampshire, there could be lingering damage to your concrete. Did you know that concrete poured at four inches thick expands at a quarter inch per 100 feet? While that might not sound like a lot, it can have a big impact on the appearance and life of your concrete. 

All concrete expands and contracts as temperatures rise and fall. Here in the Greater Boston area, we certainly get those low temperatures, as well as the high ones. The more extreme the temperature, the more extreme the movement — which is a major contributor to the formation of stress cracks and other damage. 

Control joints (those straight lines cut into your concrete) are there to provide space for the concrete to crack in a controlled manner when it expands. Having read this far, what do you think happens when those cracks fill with water and freeze? That’s right! It either causes damage to occur at the joint or it forces an ugly uncontrolled crack elsewhere in the slab. 

Regardless of how concrete cracks form, they are a cause for concern. During the freeze-thaw cycle, these cracks can take on water, which then freezes. This causes little pieces of concrete to break away from the edges of the crack or even force another crack to occur in a different direction. 

Debris such as small pebbles in joints or cracks can also have this effect. 

In this case, the solution is NexusPro, a silicone-based sealant for joints and cracks that is specially formulated to provide long-lasting flexibility and to stand up to harsh weather conditions. Unlike traditional polyurethane sealants, NexusPro resists UV rays, which means it won't crack, bubble or dry out. It is also water impermeable to prevent ice from forming in the joints and cracks. 

In more extreme cases, where there are longer expanses of concrete, CompressionGuard, a contractor-grade expansion joint, can prevent serious damage to homes, garages and driveways.

Why Fix Your Concrete Problems Now? 

For centuries, it was common practice to put off outdoor home-repair projects until warmer weather returned. These days though, at least when it comes to your concrete, it may not be necessary — and may not be wise. 

The climate here in New England is cold enough to cause some winter issues that affect concrete, but fortunately it is rarely so cold that it prevents the application of these solutions. Erickson Foundation Solutions is committed to helping you get your concrete spaces functioning properly and looking great no matter what the season. So, let us help you with a free inspection and no-cost quote. 

After all, concrete problems don’t get better with time. They get better with us.