rj-concrete

Planning a Concrete Patio Before Summer Entertaining Season

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:09:42 GMT

Summer in the western suburbs moves fast. Memorial Day weekend arrives, backyards fill up with family and friends, and before you know it the Fourth of July is gone and the season is half over. Homeowners who start thinking about a new concrete patio in June are already behind — and those who wait until July are essentially planning for next year.

The homeowners who actually enjoy their new patios by summer are the ones making decisions right now, in April, when there is still time to plan properly, get the work done, and let the concrete cure before the first backyard cookout.

If a new patio has been on your list for a year or two, here is what you need to know to make it happen before summer arrives.

Why Spring Is the Ideal Time to Install a Concrete Patio

Concrete installation requires the right temperature and moisture conditions to cure correctly. Spring — particularly late April through early June — delivers exactly that. Daytime temperatures in the Addison area during this window are mild enough to allow concrete to cure at the right pace, without the rapid drying that summer heat can cause and without the risk of freezing temperatures that make winter pours impractical.

A patio installed in May has weeks of ideal curing conditions ahead of it before the summer heat settles in. That means better surface strength, fewer curing-related issues, and a finished product that is fully ready for heavy use by the time your guests arrive.

Scheduling also works in your favor in spring. By late June, concrete contractors throughout the western suburbs are at peak capacity. An April or early May installation puts you ahead of that rush and gives your concrete patio contractor the time to plan your project carefully rather than rushing to fit it between other jobs.

Concrete Is One of the Best Materials for Outdoor Patios

Homeowners comparing patio materials — concrete, pavers, brick, natural stone — often discover that concrete offers a combination of durability, design flexibility, and long-term value that other materials can't match.

Concrete patios are monolithic, meaning they are poured as a single connected surface. This eliminates the joint shifting, weed intrusion, and uneven settling that paver and brick patios commonly develop over time. A well-installed concrete patio in Addison or Elmhurst can last 30 years or more with basic maintenance — sealing every few years and keeping it clean.

From a design standpoint, concrete is far more versatile than many homeowners realize. Plain broom-finished concrete is clean, classic, and cost-effective. But concrete can also be stamped with patterns that replicate the look of stone, slate, brick, or wood. It can be colored, textured, stained, or finished with exposed aggregate for a more decorative appearance. The range of options means a concrete patio can look completely different from one home to the next, customized to match the architecture and landscaping of your specific property.

Stamped Concrete Patios: Elevated Design at a Practical Price Point

If you've admired a neighbor's patio that looks like natural stone or European cobblestone, there's a good chance you were looking at stamped concrete. Stamped concrete achieves the look of premium materials at a fraction of the cost of actual stone or brick installation, and without the long-term maintenance issues that come with individual pavers.

The stamping process involves pressing textured molds into freshly poured concrete before it sets, along with integral or applied color that gives the surface its finished appearance. When done well — and with the right mix design and experienced finishers — the results are genuinely striking.

Stamped concrete patios are especially popular among homeowners in Elmhurst, Oak Brook, and other western suburbs where outdoor living spaces are designed with the same care as interior rooms. If you're looking to create a true backyard destination rather than just a functional concrete slab, stamped concrete is worth exploring as part of your patio planning.

What to Consider When Planning Your Patio

A patio project that goes smoothly starts with good planning. Before reaching out to a contractor, it helps to have thought through a few basic questions.

Size and shape. How much space do you want to devote to the patio? Will it be a simple rectangular slab off the back door, or something more custom — an L-shape, curved edges, or multiple levels? Larger and more complex shapes require more planning time and may affect your project timeline.

Intended use. A patio used primarily for dining is designed differently than one meant for a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, or poolside lounging. Thinking through how you'll actually use the space helps your contractor recommend the right dimensions, finish, and any additional features like steps, borders, or lighting conduit.

Drainage. Proper slope is essential for any concrete patio. Water that pools on a patio surface accelerates deterioration and creates a slipping hazard. A qualified contractor will design your patio with the right pitch to direct water away from the house and off the surface efficiently.

Access to the site. Concrete trucks and equipment need access to your backyard. Narrow gates, overhead obstacles, or tight pathways can affect how a job is set up and should be discussed with your contractor early in the planning process.

How Long Does a Concrete Patio Installation Take?

For most residential patio projects in the Addison area, the installation itself takes one to two days from form setup to the finished pour. Larger or more complex projects — particularly those involving stamped concrete, multiple levels, or custom borders — may take an additional day.

After the pour, concrete needs time to cure before it can handle foot traffic or furniture. Light foot traffic is typically safe within 24 to 48 hours. Furniture and regular use should wait a minimum of seven days, and full structural strength develops over 28 days.

From first contact to finished patio, homeowners should plan for a timeline of two to four weeks to account for the estimate, scheduling, any permit requirements, and the installation itself. Reaching out now gives you a comfortable runway to have everything completed well before Memorial Day weekend. RJ Concrete serves homeowners throughout Addison and the surrounding communities and is currently scheduling spring patio installations.

Connecting Your Patio to the Rest of Your Outdoor Space

A new concrete patio rarely stands alone. Most homeowners find that a patio project naturally leads to thinking about how it connects to the rest of the property — the walkway from the driveway to the back gate, steps from the patio down to the yard, or a path leading to a detached garage or garden area.

Planning those connections at the same time as the patio is almost always more cost-effective than coming back later for a separate project. A contractor can form and pour connecting walkways and steps in the same mobilization, saving on setup costs and ensuring consistent materials and finishes throughout.

If your patio project also means rethinking your backyard layout, this is the time to look at the full picture rather than just the patio in isolation.

Elmhurst and Oak Brook Homeowners: Outdoor Living Is a Year-Round Investment

In communities like Elmhurst and Oak Brook, where property values are strong and homeowners invest significantly in their properties, a well-designed outdoor living space is a genuine asset. A concrete patio that extends the functional square footage of your home, looks attractive, and performs reliably through Illinois winters adds real value — not just enjoyment.

Concrete patios for Elmhurst homes are one of RJ Concrete's most requested spring services. If you're in the Elmhurst area and looking for a concrete patio contractor , now is the time to reach out and get on the spring schedule before it fills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Concrete Damage

Signs It May Be Time to Replace Your Concrete Driveway

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:13:35 GMT

Most concrete driveways are built to last 25 to 30 years under normal conditions. But in the western suburbs of Chicago — where freeze-thaw cycles are relentless, heavy vehicles are the norm, and deicing salt gets applied every winter — that lifespan can be shorter. And even a driveway that has held up well for two decades will eventually reach a point where patching and sealing are no longer enough.

The challenge is knowing where that line is. Repair feels like the conservative, cost-conscious choice — and sometimes it is. But in many cases, homeowners in Addison, Bensenville, Villa Park, and surrounding communities spend money on repeated repairs only to find themselves replacing the driveway a year or two later anyway.

Knowing the signs that replacement is the right call — rather than another round of patching — saves time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Your Driveway Is More Than 25 Years Old

Age alone isn't a reason to replace concrete, but it's an important factor in how you interpret everything else on this list. Concrete that is 25 years or older has lived through hundreds of freeze-thaw cycles, years of vehicle load, and likely multiple rounds of repairs. Even if it looks acceptable on the surface, the structural integrity of older concrete is diminished in ways that aren't always visible.

When an older driveway develops new cracks or begins showing surface deterioration, the cost-benefit calculation shifts. Investing significantly in repairing concrete that is near the end of its service life rarely makes financial sense. A new concrete driveway starts fresh with modern materials and proper sub-base preparation, and you get another 25 to 30 years of reliable performance.

You're Seeing Large or Widespread Cracking

Not all cracks are equal. Hairline surface cracks that appear in isolation and haven't changed in size are typically cosmetic and can be sealed without concern. The cracks that signal a replacement conversation are a different story.

Wide cracks — anything approaching a quarter inch or wider — indicate the concrete has moved significantly. Water has been entering those gaps for seasons, eroding the base material beneath and weakening the slab.

Network cracking, sometimes called map cracking or alligator cracking, is a pattern of interconnected cracks across the surface that resembles a spider web. This type of cracking indicates the structural layer of the slab is breaking down throughout — not just in one area. Patching isolated sections of alligator cracking is a temporary fix at best.

Cracks running the full width or length of the slab suggest the concrete has failed along a stress line. These typically can't be repaired in any meaningful way and tend to worsen rapidly.

If your Bensenville or Villa Park home has a driveway showing widespread or interconnected cracking, a professional assessment will almost certainly point toward replacement rather than repair.

The Surface Is Scaling, Pitting, or Spalling

Surface deterioration — where the top layer of concrete flakes, chips, or crumbles away — is one of the most visible signs of a driveway in decline. This type of damage, called scaling or spalling, happens when freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salts break down the surface layer over time.

Mild surface scaling can sometimes be addressed with resurfacing products, but only when the structural slab beneath is still solid. When scaling has progressed to the point where aggregate (the gravel and stone within the concrete mix) is exposed across large areas, or where chunks of concrete are breaking free rather than just surface flaking, the damage typically runs deeper than a surface treatment can address.

A driveway that looks rough, pitted, and deteriorated across most of its surface area has likely reached the end of its useful life, regardless of how structurally sound it appears in isolated spots.

Sections Are Sinking, Heaving, or Uneven

A driveway that was once level and flat but now has sections that have sunk, tilted, or pushed upward has a base problem — not just a surface problem. Concrete slabs sit on a compacted sub-base of gravel and soil. When that sub-base erodes, shifts, or settles unevenly, the concrete above it moves with it.

Frost heaving — where freezing ground pushes concrete upward — is extremely common in the Addison area. Tree root intrusion and soil erosion from water infiltration also cause slab movement. In some cases, individual sections can be lifted and re-leveled through a process called mudjacking. But when multiple sections have shifted, when the movement is significant, or when the underlying cause hasn't been addressed, the long-term solution is replacement with proper sub-base work done at the same time.

An uneven driveway is also a safety hazard. Lips between sections — even half-inch elevation differences — create tripping risks and can catch vehicle tires in ways that accelerate further damage.

You've Already Repaired It Multiple Times

One concrete repair is maintenance. Two is manageable. Three or more repairs on the same driveway, especially within a short span of years, is a pattern worth examining honestly.

Concrete that keeps developing new problem areas is telling you something. The structural base is compromised, the original mix or installation had weaknesses, or the cumulative damage from years of Illinois winters has simply exceeded what any repair can address. At that point, each repair is buying a short period of cosmetic improvement while the underlying issues continue.

The cost of a full concrete driveway replacement may feel significant, but measured against the cumulative cost of ongoing repairs — plus the disruption, the inconsistent appearance, and the inevitable full replacement that's coming anyway — replacement is often the more economical path.

Water Is Pooling in New Places

A well-installed concrete driveway is designed with a slight slope to direct water away from the home's foundation and toward proper drainage. When water begins pooling in new areas — especially near the garage, along edges, or in the middle of the driveway — it's a sign that the slab has shifted or settled in ways that have disrupted that drainage design.

Pooling water isn't just a nuisance. It accelerates driveway deterioration by increasing water infiltration into the slab and sub-base. It can also direct water toward your foundation, which creates a much larger and more expensive problem over time.

When the drainage pattern of a driveway changes noticeably, it's worth having a professional evaluate whether the slab movement that caused it can be corrected with leveling or requires full replacement.

The Damage Affects Your Home's Curb Appeal and Value

This one is practical rather than structural. If you're preparing to sell your home, or simply want your property to reflect well on the neighborhood, a driveway that is cracked, discolored, patchy from multiple repairs, and visibly deteriorating is working against you.

Buyers notice driveways. Real estate professionals consistently identify driveway condition as one of the first impressions that shapes a buyer's perception of a home's overall maintenance. A clean, freshly installed concrete driveway is one of the highest-impact curb appeal improvements available to homeowners in communities like Villa Park and Bensenville, where neighborhoods have a mix of older and newer homes.

If your driveway looks its age and then some, replacement before listing — or simply as a long-term investment in your property — is worth serious consideration. Homeowners throughout the area trust RJ Concrete as their concrete driveway contractor in Villa Park and surrounding communities for exactly this reason.

What to Expect From a Driveway Replacement

Understanding what the replacement process looks like can help homeowners make the decision with confidence rather than apprehension.

A typical concrete driveway replacement involves removing and disposing of the existing slab, assessing and correcting the sub-base to ensure proper compaction and drainage, forming the new slab with attention to slope and edge detail, pouring and finishing the concrete, and applying a curing compound to protect the surface during the initial hardening period. Control joints are cut at appropriate intervals to manage where the concrete naturally wants to crack as it cures and as seasons change.

The result is a driveway that is structurally sound from the ground up — not a surface treatment applied over a compromised base. For homeowners in Bensenville and the surrounding area , RJ Concrete handles every step of that process with experienced crews and a commitment to installation quality that holds up through Illinois winters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Addison Homeowners Schedule Concrete Projects Before Spring

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:13:35 GMT

Every February, something predictable happens in Addison and the surrounding western suburbs. Homeowners start looking out at their cracked driveways, sunken walkways, and deteriorating patios — and they all reach for the phone at roughly the same time.

By the time the ground thaws and the calendar turns to April, the best concrete contractors in the area are already booked solid for weeks. Homeowners who waited are stuck choosing between a long wait, a less experienced crew, or pushing their project into the heat of summer when conditions aren't ideal.

The homeowners who planned ahead? Their projects are already scheduled, their materials are ordered, and they're first in line when the season opens.

Here's why scheduling your concrete project before spring is one of the smartest decisions you can make as a homeowner in Addison, IL.

Spring Is the Busiest Season for Concrete Contractors in the Western Suburbs

Concrete work in Illinois is highly seasonal. Cold temperatures, frozen ground, and unpredictable winter weather make large-scale pours impractical from late November through early March. That means every homeowner who has been putting off a concrete driveway , patio, walkway, or garage floor project is waiting for the same window to open.

When spring arrives, demand surges. Concrete contractors across Addison, Elmhurst, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and Bloomingdale are fielding calls from every direction — residential homeowners, commercial property managers, and municipal projects all competing for the same crews and equipment.

The result is a scheduling backlog that can stretch four to six weeks or longer for established contractors. If your driveway is cracked and you call in late April hoping to start by May, you may be looking at a June or July start date at best.

Early Scheduling Means You Get the Best Conditions

Concrete work performed in late spring — late April through early June — benefits from near-ideal conditions. Temperatures are mild, which gives concrete the right environment to cure properly. Humidity levels are moderate. Crews aren't racing against summer heat that can cause concrete to cure too quickly and develop surface issues.

When you schedule early, you're not just getting a spot on the calendar — you're securing the optimal installation window for your project. A concrete patio or concrete walkway poured in ideal conditions will perform better and last longer than one rushed in during a July heat wave to accommodate a late-scheduled project.

Your Project Gets Proper Attention

During peak season, high-volume contractors are managing multiple jobs simultaneously, coordinating crews across different neighborhoods, and juggling tight timelines. That pressure can affect the attention and care your project receives.

When you book in February or early March, your project is planned during a slower period. Your contractor has more time to assess your property thoroughly, discuss design options, source the right materials, and prepare a detailed plan — whether you're looking at a stamped concrete patio, a full driveway replacement, or a concrete garage floor resurfacing.

That planning time translates directly into better execution when your installation date arrives.

Concrete Prices and Material Costs Don't Wait

Concrete material costs fluctuate with demand, fuel prices, and supply chain conditions. Contractors who lock in projects early in the season are often able to confirm pricing before seasonal price adjustments take effect. Homeowners who call in May or June after the season is already underway may find that material costs have shifted and initial estimates are no longer valid.

Booking early is one of the few ways homeowners can have more predictable control over project costs.

You Have More Flexibility to Choose Your Timeline

When you're one of the first projects on a contractor's spring schedule, you have real input on your start date. Need the driveway done before a graduation party in late May? Want the patio finished before Memorial Day weekend? Those timelines are achievable when you plan ahead.

Homeowners who call in April or May are working around whatever slots remain, not choosing dates that fit their lives. As a concrete contractor serving Addison, IL and the surrounding communities, RJ Concrete consistently sees that early-booking clients experience smoother, more satisfying projects from start to finish — simply because everyone has more time to plan.

Winter Is the Right Time to Assess What Needs to Be Done

February is actually the ideal month to walk your property and take stock of what didn't survive the winter. Freeze-thaw cycles leave their mark — cracks widen, surfaces scale, edges crumble, and sections of walkway or driveway can shift noticeably after a hard Illinois winter.

Documenting what you're seeing now and getting a professional assessment before spring gives you time to make a thoughtful decision rather than a reactive one. You can compare options, understand the difference between repairing and replacing, and choose the right service for your budget and goals — rather than feeling pressured to make a fast decision because crews are booked and your timeline is slipping.

Elmhurst and Western Suburb Demand Makes Early Booking Even More Important

The western suburbs of Chicago — Addison, Elmhurst, Bloomingdale, Wood Dale, Bensenville, and neighboring communities — have seen consistent growth in residential concrete project demand over the past several years. Homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces, aging driveways are reaching the end of their service life, and commercial properties throughout DuPage County are prioritizing concrete upgrades.

That growth means competition for contractor availability is real. If you've been meaning to replace a deteriorating driveway, add a concrete patio to your backyard, or install a new walkway, the time to secure your spot on the schedule is now — not after the tulips bloom.

RJ Concrete offers residential concrete services throughout Addison and the surrounding area, and our spring schedule fills up quickly each year. We always recommend reaching out in late winter to lock in your preferred dates.

How to Get Started Now

Getting on the schedule early doesn't require a firm commitment on every detail. The process typically starts with a conversation about your project, a site visit to assess conditions and take measurements, and a written estimate. From there, you can confirm your timeline and be ready to go the moment conditions allow work to begin.

You can contact RJ Concrete today to get the process started. A five-minute conversation in February can be the difference between a June project and a backyard patio you're actually enjoying by Memorial Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Illinois Winters Damage Concrete Driveways and Walkways

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:25:41 GMT

If you've lived in the Addison, IL area for any length of time, you already know that Illinois winters are no joke. Temperatures swing dramatically, snow accumulates, ice forms overnight, and the cycle repeats for months. What you might not realize is how much punishment that repeated cycle is putting on your concrete driveway and walkways — even concrete that looks perfectly fine heading into December.

Understanding how winter conditions cause concrete damage can help you catch problems early, extend the life of your concrete, and know when it's time to call in a professional.

Why Addison, IL Winters Are So Hard on Concrete

Addison and the surrounding DuPage County communities — Bensenville, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, Villa Park, and Elmhurst — sit in a climate zone that delivers some of the most punishing conditions concrete can face. Average winter temperatures routinely dip below freezing, and the region sees frequent temperature swings that cross the 32°F threshold multiple times per week throughout the winter season.

It's not the cold alone that destroys concrete. It's the constant movement — freezing, thawing, freezing again — that gradually breaks concrete down from the inside out.

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: The #1 Enemy of Concrete

Concrete is a porous material. No matter how well it was installed or sealed, it contains tiny pores and micro-cracks that allow water to seep in over time. In warmer months, this isn't a major issue. In an Addison winter, it becomes a serious problem.

Here's what happens during a typical freeze-thaw cycle:

Water Infiltrates the Concrete

Rain, snowmelt, and moisture from the ground work their way into the pores and small voids within the concrete slab. Even well-sealed concrete will eventually absorb some moisture, especially as the original sealer wears away.

Freezing Causes Expansion

When temperatures drop below 32°F, that trapped water freezes and expands — by roughly 9% in volume. That expansion puts enormous internal pressure on the concrete surrounding it. The concrete doesn't flex or give; it cracks.

Thawing Lets More Water In

When temperatures climb back above freezing, the ice melts and the concrete contracts. This thaw cycle opens those new cracks and pores even wider, allowing more water to seep in before the next freeze. Each cycle makes the next one more damaging.

The Damage Compounds Over Time

After dozens of freeze-thaw cycles in a single winter — which is common in Addison — what started as a hairline crack became a significant fracture. What started as minor surface scaling becomes deep spalling. The structural integrity of the slab can be compromised without any single dramatic event causing it.

Common Types of Winter Concrete Damage

Surface Scaling and Spalling

One of the most visible signs of freeze-thaw damage is scaling — when the top layer of the concrete begins to flake or peel away. Spalling goes deeper, with chunks of concrete breaking off and leaving a rough, pitted surface. Both are caused by water freezing near the surface and breaking the bond between concrete layers.

Deicing salts make this worse. Products containing calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or sodium chloride accelerate surface deterioration by increasing the number of freeze-thaw cycles the concrete experiences and by chemically attacking the concrete's surface. Sandbagged alternatives are gentler, but many homeowners don't realize the damage salts are causing until it's already significant.

Cracking

Cracks are the most common complaint RJ Concrete hears from homeowners in Addison and surrounding communities after a hard winter. They come in a few varieties:

Hairline cracks are thin surface cracks that often appear early in the damage cycle. Left unaddressed, they become pathways for more water intrusion and accelerate further cracking.

Structural cracks run deeper through the slab and can compromise its load-bearing ability. A cracked concrete driveway , for example, may no longer be able to handle the weight of vehicles without further breaking apart.

Edge and corner cracks are common on driveways and walkways where the slab is thinner and has less support from the soil beneath it.

Heaving and Settlement

Freeze-thaw cycles don't just damage the concrete itself — they also affect the soil and base material beneath the slab. When the ground freezes, it can push the concrete slab upward (called frost heaving). When it thaws, the slab settles back down — sometimes unevenly. This is why you see sections of concrete walkways and driveways that lift, tilt, or create tripping hazards after winter.

Joint Deterioration

Expansion joints are intentional gaps in concrete designed to allow for movement. Over time, the filler material in those joints breaks down, allowing water to penetrate directly beneath the slab. In winter, this can accelerate heaving and cracking near the joints.

How Deicing Salts Make Things Worse

It's worth spending a moment on salt, because many homeowners use it liberally throughout the winter without understanding the cumulative damage it causes to their concrete driveway and walkways.

Rock salt and chemical deicers work by lowering the freezing point of water, which helps melt ice — but they also increase the number of freeze-thaw cycles the concrete surface experiences. Instead of staying frozen at 25°F, treated concrete might go through a melt-and-refreeze cycle at that same temperature, multiplying the damage.

Additionally, salt draws moisture into concrete rather than repelling it, and many chemical deicers react with the calcium hydroxide in concrete to form compounds that expand and cause additional cracking and scaling.

The concrete you poured last year may be in better shape than older concrete, but even newer slabs benefit from sealing and careful deicing practices. Sand or kitty litter can provide traction without the chemical attack on your concrete.

Signs Your Concrete Driveway or Walkway Has Winter Damage

After each winter, walk your property and look for these warning signs:

Cracks wider than a hairline, especially those running across the slab rather than just along the surface
Flaking, chipping, or peeling on the surface
Sections that feel uneven underfoot or have visibly shifted
Pitting or a rough, cratered texture where the surface was once smooth
Water pooling in new areas that didn't collect moisture before
Gaps at expansion joints that have widened

Catching these issues in early spring gives you the best opportunity to address them before summer heat and another year of vehicle and foot traffic make them worse.

When to Repair vs. When to Replace

Not every cracked or scaled concrete surface needs to be fully replaced. The right course of action depends on the extent and type of damage.

Repair may be appropriate when:

Cracks are isolated and haven't spread significantly
Surface scaling is limited to a small area
The structural base of the slab remains solid and level
The concrete is relatively new and was properly installed

Replacement is usually the better investment when:

Cracking is widespread or the slab has broken into multiple pieces
Heaving or settlement has created significant elevation differences
Spalling has reached the aggregate layer beneath the surface
The concrete is old and has experienced many winters of cumulative damage
Repair costs are approaching the cost of a new slab

A qualified concrete contractor can assess the damage and give you an honest recommendation. RJ Concrete has been evaluating and replacing damaged concrete driveways and concrete walkways throughout Addison, IL and the surrounding area for years, and we'll always tell you the most cost-effective path forward for your specific situation.

Protecting Your Concrete Before Next Winter

If your concrete made it through this winter in reasonable shape, a few proactive steps can extend its life:

Seal your concrete. A quality concrete sealer applied in late spring or early fall creates a barrier against water infiltration. Reapply every two to three years, or as the sealer begins to show wear.

Clean and fill cracks promptly. Small cracks filled early stay small. Ignored, they become large.

Improve drainage. Water that pools against or under your slab dramatically accelerates damage. Grading the surrounding soil and ensuring downspouts direct water away from concrete surfaces can make a significant difference.

Use sand instead of salt. Where traction is needed, sand does the job without attacking the concrete.

Avoid snowplow blade damage. Metal plow blades dragged across concrete surfaces scratch and gouge the surface, creating pathways for water. Use rubber-edged blades or adjust the blade height to avoid direct contact.

If your driveway or walkways took a beating this past winter, RJ Concrete is ready to help. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Addison, IL and the surrounding communities with expert concrete driveway installation and replacement, as well as concrete walkways that are built to handle Illinois winters for decades to come. Contact us today for a free estimate.