How to Protect Your Concrete Through an Iowa Winter
Iowa winters are tough—and your concrete knows it. Between freeze-thaw cycles, snow, salt, and shovels, your driveway, patio, and sidewalks take a beating from November to March. But with a little prep and maintenance, you can help extend the life of your concrete and avoid costly repairs in spring.
Here’s what we recommend before the deep freeze hits.
1. Avoid Using Salt or De-Icing Chemicals
Yes, it’s tempting—but salt can wreak havoc on your concrete. Especially if it’s newer (within the last 2 years), de-icers can seep into the surface, refreeze, and cause spalling, cracking, or flaking. Instead:
Use sand for traction
Shovel early and often
If you must use a de-icer, look for calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) – it’s less aggressive than traditional salts
2. Seal It Before the Freeze (or Put It on the Spring List)
A good sealant helps protect concrete from moisture penetration—which is what leads to freeze-thaw damage. If you didn’t get it sealed this fall, no worries. Just make it your first priority come spring.
Learn more about our concrete sealing services (Internal Link)
In the meantime, avoid letting snow and slush sit for days. The longer moisture lingers, the more damage it can cause when temps swing above and below freezing.
3. Be Gentle with Snow Removal
Metal shovel blades, snowblower scrapes, and overzealous scraping can chip edges or damage the finish.
Use a plastic snow shovel
Avoid chopping ice with sharp tools
If you’re using a snowblower, keep the skids adjusted slightly above the surface
Pro tip: Don’t pile snow against your garage or patio foundation. As it melts, it can cause pooling and seep into joints.
4. Inspect and Fill Small Cracks Early
Even hairline cracks can grow when water gets in and freezes. If you notice new cracks forming, add them to your spring repair list or fill them with a concrete-safe patching compound before consistent freezing begins.
Need help evaluating damage? Contact us for a spring inspection (Internal Link).
Don’t Let Winter Wreck Your Concrete
We may be shut down for the season, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your surfaces until April. A little winter prep now means fewer surprises later—and saves you money in the long run.
We’ll be back in the spring ready to handle any repairs, replacements, or sealant work your concrete needs. Until then, stay warm and drive safe.
