As temperatures start to fall, this brings new challanges for any structure, yes including concrete. Snow, ice, and the cold weather can take a toll on your concrete. The freezing and thawing can cause damage that can become costly to repair if not well maintained. Be sure to protect your concrete properly to extend its lifespan and also, keep more money in your pockets. Here are some do's and dont's when it comes to concrete in the winter time.

#1. You need to understand freeze-thaw cycles. As temperatures change, water that was once snow or ice, will get into the cracks of your concrete. As the temperatures drop again, that water will freeze and expand again causing deeper and wider cracks than before.

How can I avoid these deeper cracks? Make sure to seal your concrete before everything around you starts to freeze. We typically recommend late fall for this. You can do it yourself but, it is a long and strenuous process that, if you want it done right, leave it to the professionals.

#2. Choose a good de-icer. It may shock you that not all de-icing products were created the same. Here are the best de-icing products for concrete.

- Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): Calcium Magnesium Acetate is one of the safest de-icers for concrete. These products are much less corrosive than their salt counterparts. CMA is also less harmful to landscaping and animals than some other de-icing products can be.

- Calcium Chloride: Calcium Chloride is another popular concrete de-icer and it works well down to bitter cold temperatures (-30 Fahrenheit in our experiences).

- Sand: While sand doesnt really de-ice your driveway it does add traction to help with the slippery surface. Sand is a cheaper alternative to de-icing and it is relatively easy to find. Sand is also a non-corrosive product that you can safely use on your concrete.

- STAY AWAY FROM SALT! This goes back to the freeze-thaw cycle. Salt lowers the freezing point of water which in turn, allows it to get into those cracks we talked about. Salt is also acidic and it can seep into your concrete and cause corrosion. Salt is also harmful to plants and landscaping as well as animals. Salt gets into the animals paws and can cause serious irritation.

How to prep your concrete for winter