During the Winter we tend to hunker down, stay indoors, and postpone most of our outdoor renovations until the Spring. Although this is the most comfortable thing to do when wintry weather starts, it could also cause some serious issues to your home’s outdoor spaces if problems are left to fester through the cold season. Here’s why you might want to consider epoxy installation on your outdoor surfaces before Winter hits its stride.
Concrete and Cold Weather Don’t Mix
Whether you have a concrete driveway, concrete deck, or outdoor garage with a concrete floor, concrete surfaces are vulnerable to cold weather cracking and moisture damage during cycles of wet, freeze, and thaw. Inspecting your concrete flooring before or at the beginning of the cold season is an important part of care and maintenance. Look for hairline cracks that could fill will water, freeze, expand, and turn into larger deeper cracks. Any chips, spalling, or other signs of damage or deterioration should be noted and repaired before the cold weather hits. There are several options for repairing issues with concrete or at least conducting a spot fix until a larger repair can be tackled in warmer weather. If you notice areas of concern with your concrete flooring, reach out to experts in concrete and concrete floor coatings such as professional epoxy installation contractors for advice on how to safeguard your concrete surfaces this winter.
Don’t Skip Shoveling Snow
While concrete is a strong and sturdy material, it is not impervious to water damage particularly if it already has existing damage in the form of cracks or erosion. Winter weather can wreak havoc on outdoor concrete surfaces if snow and ice are left to sit on them for prolonged periods. Owners of outdoor concrete surfaces must stay vigilant with snow removal. More importantly, shoveling and snow blowing is preferable to chemical de-icers and salt as these can further degrade concrete surfaces. Of course, one of the best ways to protect your outdoor concrete is to seal it with an epoxy or polyurethane coating that is water and cold-resistant. Some formulas of floor coating are better suited to both application and use during cold weather, so it’s best to consult an expert in epoxy installation to figure out which material is ideal for your outdoor surface.
Plan for Spring
If you have a concrete surface but aren’t prepared to seal it with any sort of topcoat this winter, now is a good time to research contractors in epoxy installation and plan to coat your concrete surface in warmer weather. Determine what sort of traffic and weather your concrete surface is exposed to and decide what sort of design you would like the most. Epoxy coatings come in all sorts of designs, colors, and textures that feature a variety of qualities depending on what your space needs. If you have an outdoor deck space, especially one near a pool, applying an epoxy coating with an anti-slip texture is a great way to enhance the area and protect your loved ones during BBQ and swim season. If you have an outdoor garage space with a certain style in mind, floor coatings come in a range of colors to accent the space.
Even though Winter is often the last time we want to think about renovations and repairs, if you have an unsealed outdoor concrete surface, connecting with an expert in epoxy installation today can save you a lot of time and money tomorrow.
