Winter takes a toll on brick patios thanks to the frequent freeze-thaw cycles here in Michigan. You may not even be thinking about your patio right now; after all, spring is still months away. However, you can take steps now to protect your patio from the harsh realities of winter so that when spring does arrive, your hardscapes look great and perform as intended.
Protect your investment and avoid costly restoration work later with these tips on safeguarding your brick patio right now.
How the Freeze-Thaw Cycle Affects Your Patio
The freeze-thaw cycle is common in winter. In a nutshell:
- When moisture seeps into small cracks or mortar joints and temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands.
- As it thaws and refreezes repeatedly, it widens cracks, loosens bricks, and causes surface flaking (AKA spalling).
Even the best quality brick can suffer damage in winter if minor cracks or drainage issues aren’t addressed early on. This is why proactive winter care is so critical to all your hardscapes.
Keep Your Patio Clean Before Heavy Snowfall
When the forecast calls for snow or icy conditions, remove leaves, dirt, and debris from your patio surface. If this organic material is left to accumulate on your brick patio throughout winter, moisture will get trapped against the surface. As it gets covered by snow, the water has nowhere to go and can lead to staining and deterioration.
It doesn’t take much: just a simple sweep and gentle rinse!
Be Careful When Applying De-Icing Products
De-icing salts may be effective and convenient, but they can do a number on brick and mortar. That’s because salt penetrates porous surfaces and allows water to get inside, weakening the material and hastening freeze-thaw damage.
Instead of harsh chemical de-icers, try these other traction solutions:
- Sand for grip
- Calcium magnesium acetate (less corrosive than traditional rock salt)
- Prompt snow removal rather than reliance on ice melt
Use Proper Snow Removal Methods
It’s important to clear snow from your patio the right way.
- Always use a plastic shovel — not metal – so you don’t chip away at the brick surface.
- If using a snow blower, the blade should be set slightly above the surface to prevent scraping.
- Don’t aggressively scrape at ice buildup; rather, gently loosen snow early and often before it compacts and freezes.
Check Drainage Areas
Poor drainage is a big culprit when it comes to winter brick damage.
- Direct downspouts away from the patio.
- Make sure no low spots are collecting standing water.
- Address grading issues if you notice pooling before or after snowfall
- When you catch drainage problems early on, you can do your part to prevent shifting, settling, or heaving in your patio by spring.
Inspect Mortar and Joint Sand
Take a look at your brick patio throughout winter, checking for loose bricks, deteriorating mortar joints, or missing polymeric sand between pavers. Small gaps may not seem concerning to you, but they can widen further over winter, allowing for more and more water intrusion.
Schedule a Professional Assessment Before Spring
In late winter, especially if you have noticed widening gaps between bricks, schedule a professional inspection to address minor damage before patio season begins. Early intervention in the form of brick repair in Metro Detroit can prevent the need for expensive, full-scale restoration.
Check out these four benefits of proactive winter patio care:
- Extend the lifespan of your brick patio
- Reduce cracking and shifting
- Minimize staining and surface damage
- Save on future repair costs
Protect your brick patio investment with a little TLC during winter to ensure it remains safe, stable, and attractive for years to come.
Contact It’s The Brick Guys
Don’t wait until spring damage becomes a costly repair. Contact us to schedule a late winter inspection for your patio and other hardscapes.
