Winter’s Weight on Your Hardscape – How Snow and Ice Affect Your Outdoor Spaces
Winter’s Weight on Your Hardscape – How Snow and Ice Affect Your Outdoor Spaces
Winter in Collingwood might be postcard-perfect, but let’s not kid ourselves—our hardscaping doesn’t enjoy it nearly as much as we do. Between the piles of snow, freezing temperatures, and ice-melting salts, your outdoor spaces take a beating this time of year. Let’s talk about what’s happening to your hardscaping under that blanket of white.
The Freeze-Thaw Dance
Snow melts during sunny afternoons and refreezes at night, creating a cycle of expansion and contraction. Over time, this can cause pavers and stones to shift or crack. Your carefully installed custom patio or walkway might be quietly groaning under the pressure—don’t let it turn into a springtime surprise!
Salt: A Blessing and a Curse
While rock salt is great for keeping ice at bay, it’s not so great for your hardscape materials. It can eat away at natural stone, concrete, and even some types of pavers, leaving behind unsightly damage. Instead, try sand for traction or use de-icers designed specifically for stone surfaces.
Snow Load and Stress
Excessive snow buildup can put undue stress on retaining walls, driveways, and patios. A quick shoveling session after heavy snowfall can save you from headaches down the road.
Concerned about your hardscaping this winter? Contact CMCi for expert hardscaping services in Collingwood, Blue Mountains, Thornbury and surrounding areas to keep your outdoor spaces looking great year-round!
Winter in Collingwood might be postcard-perfect, but let’s not kid ourselves—our hardscaping doesn’t enjoy it nearly as much as we do. Between the piles of snow, freezing temperatures, and ice-melting salts, your outdoor spaces take a beating this time of year. Let’s talk about what’s happening to your hardscaping under that blanket of snow.
The Freeze-Thaw Dance
Snow melts during sunny afternoons and refreezes at night, creating a cycle of expansion and contraction. Over time, this can cause pavers and stones to shift or crack. Your carefully installed custom patio or walkway might be quietly groaning under the pressure—don’t let it turn into a springtime stress!
Salt: A Blessing and a Curse
While rock salt is great for keeping ice at bay, it’s not so great for your hardscape materials. It can eat away at natural stone, concrete, and even some types of pavers, leaving behind unsightly damage. Instead, try sand for traction or use de-icers designed specifically for stone surfaces.
Snow Load and Stress
Excessive snow buildup can put undue stress on retaining walls, driveways, and patios. A quick shoveling session after heavy snowfall can save you from headaches down the road.
Concerned about your hardscaping this winter? Contact CMCi for expert hardscaping services in Collingwood, Blue Mountains, Thornbury and surrounding areas to keep your outdoor spaces looking great year-round!
Snow Clearing 101: Protecting Your Patio, Driveway, and Walkways.
Snow Clearing 101: Protecting Your Patio, Driveway, and Walkways
Snow clearing might not be your favorite winter activity, but keeping your walkway installation in Collingwood safe and damage-free is worth the effort. Let’s make this chore as painless as possible (and protect your investment in the process).
The Right Tools for the Job
• Shovel with Care: Use plastic or rubber-edged shovels to avoid scratching stone surfaces.
• Blow Gently: If you’re using a snowblower, keep the blades slightly elevated off the ground.
Safe De-Icing
Avoid using rock salt on your patio or walkway. Instead, opt for:
• Sand for traction.
• Stone-safe de-icers that won’t corrode or discolor your surfaces.
Why Early Clearing Matters
Don’t wait for the snow to pack down—it’s harder to remove and can leave icy patches behind. Clearing your patio, driveway, and walkways early helps prevent slipping hazards and protects your stonework from stress.
Your driveway wants to stay smooth, sleek, and crack-free—show it some love this winter, and it’ll return the favour in spring!
Need help repairing your walkway installation in Collingwood? Contact CMCi today for expert advice and services!
Snow clearing might not be your favorite winter activity, but keeping your walkway installation in Collingwood safe and damage-free is worth the effort. Let’s make this chore as painless as possible (and protect your investment in the process).
The Right Tools for the Job
• Shovel with Care: Use plastic or rubber-edged shovels to avoid scratching stone surfaces.
• Blow Gently: If you’re using a snowblower, keep the blades slightly elevated off the ground.
• Pro tip: If the snow is light and fluffy a leaf blower might do the trick!
Safe De-Icing
Avoid using rock salt on your patio or walkway. Instead, opt for:
• Sand for traction.
• Stone-safe de-icers that won’t corrode or discolor your surfaces.
Why Early Clearing Matters
Don’t wait for the snow to pack down—it’s harder to remove and can leave icy patches behind. Clearing your patio, driveway, and walkways early helps prevent slipping hazards and protects your stonework from stress.
Your driveway wants to stay smooth, sleek, and crack-free—show it some love this winter, and it’ll return the favour in spring!