What harms pavers in winter
The greatest enemy of pavers in winter is water that has soaked into their structure. On freezing it expands and breaks the material from the inside. After a few seasons you see this on edges and corners that start to crumble and flake.
The second problem is often the way of clearing and de icing. Sharp tools scratch and chip the surface, and unsuitable chemicals can harm it. That is why winter care is to a large extent a matter of good habits.
Salt and pavers
Road salt is cheap and effective at de icing, but it is often merciless to pavers. It intensifies the freeze and thaw cycles in the surface and leaves white efflorescence and discolouration on some surfaces. On the pavement by the house it is better to avoid it.
Note
Before you reach for any de icing product, check whether it is intended for pavers and whether the surface manufacturer allows it. This also applies to pavers under warranty, where using an unsuitable product can void it.
What to clear snow with safely
- Shovels and scrapers made of plastic instead of metal edges that scratch the surface.
- A broom to remove a thin layer of snow before it packs into ice.
- Regular, more frequent clearing, which is gentler than fighting a thick, iced layer.
- De icing products intended for pavers, used according to the instructions.
Tip
It is easiest to clear snow as it falls. A thin layer of fresh snow comes off lightly, and once it packs down and freezes, fighting the ice is often much more harmful to the surface than the snow itself.
The role of protection before winter
You do the most for the pavers before the frosts. Protection limits water absorption and therefore the amount of water that can freeze in the stone. Less water in the structure means a lower risk of frost damage.
That is why autumn is a good time for impregnation, in dry and still warm weather. The surface then enters winter prepared. How to choose and apply the product we describe in the guide on sealing pavers.
Preparing pavers for winter step by step
- 1Clean the surface in autumn. Remove leaves, moss and dirt before snow covers them. Lying dirt holds moisture.
- 2Top up the sand in the joints. Take care of the joints, because they keep the pavers stable. Fill the gaps and let them dry.
- 3Protect the pavers before the frosts. In dry autumn weather apply a product that limits water absorption, following the guide on sealing pavers.
- 4Prepare the right tools. Set aside a plastic shovel and a de icing product intended for pavers for winter, so you have them at hand.
The most common mistakes in winter
- Using road salt on the pavement by the house.
- Clearing with metal tools that scratch the surface.
- Waiting until the snow packs into thick ice.
- No autumn protection, so the pavers enter winter heavily soaked.
- Leaving leaves and dirt under the snow all winter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put salt on pavers?
On the pavement by the house it is better to avoid road salt, because it intensifies frost damage and can leave efflorescence. Safer are de icing products intended for pavers, used according to the instructions and the surface manufacturer guidance.
What do I clear pavers with so as not to damage them?
Best with a plastic shovel or scraper and a broom, instead of tools with a metal edge. Clearing as snow falls is gentler than fighting a thick layer of ice.
Does protection shield the pavers from frost?
Protection limits water absorption, and less water in the structure means a lower risk of frost damage. It does not replace sensible clearing, but it helps noticeably through winter.
When should I protect the pavers before winter?
Best in autumn, in dry and still warm weather, when the surface can dry and the product can bond with the base before the first frosts.
