Sealing concrete now will protect it in the winter months. De-icing salts will melt ice and ice turns into water. The concrete absorbs water and the water freezes within the pores. Ice takes up more volume than water so when the water freezes, it causes the concrete to crack and spall on the surface. The best way to stop damage caused by deicing salts is to seal the concrete with a water repellent sealer.

Water repellent sealers (silane siloxane sealers) will repel water and keep it on the surface. Ice will form on the surface instead of within the pores.

When looking for a water repellent sealer, you want a silane-siloxane blend, high solids. High solids (20-40%) formulations will give you better surface protection.

The alternative to using a water repellent sealer would be to us a coating. A coating works differently than a penetrating sealer in that a coating will form a layer between the concrete and the ice. Acrylic lacquer coatings are the most common type of exterior coating to use. Make sure the coating is rated for resistance to changes in weather and temperature.

Products: Armor Concrete Coatings, Eagle Coatings