If you don't protect concrete before winter hits, the freeze-thaw cycle and deicing salts can do serious damage.
Every year, we hear from property owners who are frustrated by flaking, crumbling concrete with widening cracks that look terrible and create tripping hazards.
At Roe Painting, we've been helping customers for over 25 years find solutions to protect and strengthen their concrete. We know exactly how Idaho and Nevada's cold winters affect concrete and what you need to do before it's too late.
In this article, you'll learn why winter is so harsh on concrete and the exact steps you can take to prevent damage, including how and when to seal it properly.
Concrete is porous, and that's the core of the problem. Moisture easily travels from the surface deeper into your concrete.
When temperatures drop below freezing, any moisture that's inside your concrete expands as it turns to ice. That expansion creates pressure from within, which leads to:
This damage doesn't just happen once. It repeats every time the temperature swings above and below freezing, making it worse with each cycle.
The results? A driveway, walkway, or patio that looks 20 years old by spring.
If you live in a climate like we see in Idaho and Nevada, these cycles start as early as October and occur dozens of times through as late as May. Every time we have those temperature swings above and below freezing, your concrete is slowly being degraded.
Absolutely. It's not just the weather attacking your concrete. It's what you use to fight the ice.
Here's what's happening when you throw down salt or deicers:
And the worst part?
Salt doesn't just damage the surface. It speeds up the freeze-thaw effect. Your concrete will be breaking down from the inside out.
Ice Melt Type |
Effective To |
Impact on Concrete |
Best Use Case |
| Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt) | 20°F | High risk of surface damage and corrosion | Driveways (only if sealed); budget option |
| Calcium Chloride | -25°F | Less harmful but still promotes moisture intrusion | Very cold climates needing fast melt |
| Magnesium Chloride | 0°F | Gentler on concrete, but may cause slick residue | Walkways, steps, and decorative areas |
| Potassium Chloride | 12°F | Mild effect on concrete, slower melt | Eco-conscious property owners |
| Urea (Fertilizer-based) | 20°F | Safe for concrete, but least effective as ice melt | Pet-safe areas, light ice conditions |
Many of us wait until spring to worry about our concrete (or ignore it entirely) until it becomes a visible problem. If you want to prevent surface damage, cracks, and spalling, sealing your concrete before winter is the most effective protection you can apply.
1. Clean the surface thoroughly.
Remove all dirt, stains, and mildew. If your concrete is oily or heavily soiled, consider a degreaser.
2. Let it dry completely.
Moisture trapped under a sealer can cause peeling or bubbling.
3. Apply a high-quality concrete sealer.
Use a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer that blocks water absorption without creating a slippery surface. These work especially well in freeze-thaw climates.
These sealers don't change the color, texture, or finish of your concrete. They leave an invisible layer of protection that works below the surface.
4. Follow curing and reapplication guidelines.
Most sealers need 24-48 hours to cure. Reapply every 2-3 years for ongoing protection.
Pro Tip: Sealing isn't just for driveways. You can (and should) seal walkways, patios, and stairs, anywhere concrete is exposed to snow, ice, or salt.
You can seal and protect your exterior concrete as long as outside temperatures are above freezing. Most concrete sealers are applied in just one day, so if daytime temperatures are >40°F, then you can still seal your concrete.
To be most effective, concrete sealers need:
That means that the ideal sealing window in Idaho and Nevada is mid-summer to early fall, when:
Once temperatures drop below 40°F consistently or the surface is wet/frozen, it's too late. Sealer won't penetrate properly, and you're better off waiting until spring.
DIY sealing can work for small, newer surfaces, but older, larger concrete surfaces get trickier. Professional teams know how to choose the right sealer, prep the surface correctly, and apply it evenly for long-term protection.
Roe Painting provides surface prep, professional sealing, and winterization services for residential and commercial driveways, patios, sidewalks, walkways, or any other exposed concrete surfaces.
If you're unsure whether your concrete is ready for winter, we can provide an in-person consultation and give honest recommendations.
Average cost to seal concrete: $1.25 to $1.75 per square foot.
That means sealing:
If you want a ballpark estimate for sealing your concrete surface, check our Instant Concrete Coatings Calculator. Just input the square footage of your space, and you'll receive your estimate via email. This is a great way to plan accordingly for your project.
At this point, you know how winter damages concrete and exactly how you can prevent it with proper sealing and smart material choices.
If you're facing cold temperatures, regular snow, or ice melt exposure, your concrete is already at risk, but the good news is that you still have time to act.
Now that you understand what needs to be done, your next step is simple:
Seal it right, and seal it soon.
Whether you're planning to DIY or you want it handled professionally, Roe Painting is here to help you protect what you've built. Request a quote to get started.
If you're already dealing with cracking, spalling concrete, you might be wondering what happens next. We can help! Our concrete resurfacing services restore failing concrete to a stronger-than-new condition. Added bonus: These coatings are unaffected by ice melt. You'll be able to use deicing salts without the fear of damage to the concrete.