Putting The Freeze On Cold-Weather Concrete Damag (NAPSA)—Winter is just around the corner, and many homeowners are not prepared for the effects this coming change in weather will have on their homes, particularly on their concrete carports, driveways, patios, porches and walks. Freezing rain, ice and snow, as well as deicers and freeze/thaw cycles, can cause costly damage to concrete surfaces if left unchecked. Fortunately, precautionary mea- sures such as crack repair, curing and sealing provide cost-effective solutions to help you avoid expensive replacement projects. The following products are spe- cially designed to remedy particular structural issues with concrete and retain its long-lasting beauty and strength: Quikrete Concrete Crack Seal (Gray), Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher and Quikrete Con- crete & Asphalt Cleaner. Here’s how to use them: Careful preparation of the concrete surface is essential. Using a push broom, sweep the entire area to removeall dust and debris. The surface and cracks must be clean, dry andfree of grease, dust or loose concrete prior to any repairs. Clean the surface with the Concrete & Asphalt Cleaner and then rinse with water. Do not leave any standing water on surfaces to be repaired. For minor horizontal cracks or fractures (/s inch to 2 inch in width), begin by shaking the Concrete Crack Seal and then cutting the tip of the bottle so the opening matches the width of the crack. e If the crack is deep, fill to within ': inch of the surface with Quikrete All-Purpose Sand or a backerrod. Protecting concrete surfaces from cold-weather damage can help you avoid expensive replacementprojects. Squeeze the repair material into the crack in :-inch layers, overfilling slightly to allow for shrinkage. Additional layers can be applied after 24 hours as needed. * Use the Vinyl Concrete Patcher to make thin repairs to cracked or pitted horizontal concrete areas up to one squarefoot in size and ‘/2 inch in depth. Dampen the concrete surface and then apply the patching material with a trowel, taking care to force the product into the crack. Featheredge the mix out onto the surrounding concrete to create a smoothrepair. Apply the patching material in /-inch layers. If the hole is deeper than '/: inch, apply in stages and allow each layer to cure for several days before starting the next. For additional project ideas, visit www.quikrete.com.
