Help! The Cold Weather Has Cracked Our Concrete

I received an interesting letter from a reader this week who said, “Dear Bob, we got started on our outdoor clean-up last weekend and noticed that the concrete in our patio area has some cracks that weren’t there in the fall. Is there anything we can do to fix it or do we have to have it professionally repaired? Thank you, Barbara D.”

This is a great question and it’s a common problem for homeowners during this time of year. Concrete, like most natural materials, changes with the environment. When there is a lot of snow, ice, and rain, that water can seep down into the porous concrete. As the temperature drops, the moisture freezes, causing the concrete to expand. When the temperature warms and the ground thaws, the concrete then shrinks, which leads to cracking. Most of the time, these hairline cracks aren’t problematic on their own but left untreated, it is likely that they will get bigger and tougher to fix. Unfortunately, cracking is one of the downsides to concrete and it can be tough to prevent. On the flip side, fixing them is relatively simple, so let’s walk through it.

First, you’ll always want to work with a very dry surface, so don’t start this project if it has recently rained. Once the weather is ready to cooperate, be sure that the cracks are completely clean of debris by using a chisel to remove loose pieces of concrete, dirt or sand.  Next, you’re ready to fill the crack using either a concrete caulk for small cracks or a pourable concrete mix for larger gaps. Always follow the manufacturer's directions as some products will require you to fill the crack with sand and others will recommend using a trowel to pack down the material. Then leave it plenty of time for it to cure before sealing the concrete to protect it from cracking again.

If you simply have too many cracks and you’d rather replace the concrete, here are a few things to remember. Firstly, make sure the pour is done in ideal conditions and ask your contractor about using plastic sheeting or a curing compound to control the moisture from the beginning. Next, don’t mess with it! Concrete takes three to seven days to set depending on the environment, so don’t rush it. Allowing the surface to harden completely before you use it can delay or prevent cracking in the future. Next, be sure to maintain your concrete with a sealant which will allow the right amount of moisture to come in and will let the surface breathe. Finally, check that your driveway or patio has proper drainage. The longer water sits on it, the more likely that it will seep through the surface. Taking these steps will help to ensure that your concrete stays looking newer for longer with less probability for additionally cracking after our next bout of extreme weather.  

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Get the Garden Ready for Early Spring Planting

It might not feel like the first week of spring but with winter technically behind us, now is a great time to start preparing the garden for warmer weather. While most people think the cold ground is too brutal for plantings to handle, there are a handful of hearty veggies that can thrive in the early spring. Let’s get the growing season started with these tips.

First, you need to prepare your beds or planters so your seeds can thrive. Once the soil is dry, you can start to turn it, but only if it crumbles in your hand. If soil sticks together like glue, you should wait or you’ll risk destroying the structure. You can topdress beds with compost to give the soil a nutrient boost when the time is right.

Once the soil is ready, it’s time to get planting. If you’re Irish, you know the old tradition of planting peas on St. Patrick’s Day for good luck. I don’t mind waiting a few more weeks, especially with the late snow we’ve had, but getting them into the ground before April 1st is a must. They don’t call them spring peas for nothing!

After your peas, you can start to lock in other cold-tolerant vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. You’ll need to ensure they are protected, but getting them into the ground early is a good idea as they’ll get a headstart before the onslaught of pesky bugs and rodents. Radishes, spinach, and lettuce varieties are good spring plants too as they can generally survive a late-season frost.

If you have an indoor gardening facility, now is also a great time to get tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers started. The seeds can’t take the outdoors yet, but getting them ready to bask under fluorescent lights will ensure that you have a healthy harvest come summer.

As for other gardening jobs, late March is a good time to begin pruning apple trees, shrubs, and rose bushes. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted and once we have a good dry spell with no snow, the lawn can be aerated. If you’re desperate for some color in the yard, spring-blooming pansies are a good pick for planters or beds since they do well in the colder weather and come in nearly every color imaginable. Daffodils and crocus are also popular and will make a nice backdrop for a neighborhood Easter egg hunt.

 Remember, getting in the garden during the first week of spring might seem tempting, but starting too early can set you up for a disappointing harvest come summer. Consult with your local gardening expert to ensure that the ground is ready for planting and use this time to get your soil in tip-top shape to ensure your plantings can survive and thrive this season. Happy Spring!

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Late Winter Storms Call for Ice Dam Education

If the snow shoveling and ice chipping haven’t been enough for you yet, this latest winter storm has given us one more hazard to contend with. I’m talking about ice dams, one of the meanest bi-products of winter weather and one to most certainly be on the lookout for during this last blitz of cold before spring.

An ice dam forms when heavy snow blankets the roof, forming an extra layer of insulation. As warm air rises from your house and up through your attic, it causes the layer of snow closest to the roof to melt and the water to slide down into the gutters. This would normally be a good thing, but because so many homes in our area aren’t properly insulated, the water refreezes at the eaves of the roof, creating icicles.

Not so bad right? Think again. Icicles are a sign that water is refreezing over your gutters instead of draining through them, which forms an ice blockage. As that ice grows and grows, the water has nowhere to go so it starts to move under your roof shingles and eventually into your insulation and drywall. This is when you’ll start to see the leaks in your ceiling and walls. Sure, those huge frozen icicles look pretty, but you won’t be so fond of them when you see the damage that they can do.

The best way to avoid this problem is by taking preventative measures. I get calls from homeowners to remove ice dams after every winter storm, and for many, it is too late and they are already facing thousands of dollars worth of damage. But if you’re lucky enough to catch an ice dam before it fully forms, it’s a smart idea to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Firstly, when you’re clearing snow from your driveway and sidewalks, think about your roof too. Removing snow from the house is the best way to protect your home against it melting and refreezing in the gutters and up the roof. If you already have an ice dam forming, you can use a hammer and chisel to get rid of it, but be very careful as roof shingles are more delicate and brittle in cold conditions. One safe home remedy is to fill a pair of pantyhose with an ice melter and lay it across the ice dam so the water will melt into the gutter. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, call a professional to help you get rid of the ice dam quickly and safely.

These, of course, are just stop-gap measures. The only way to prevent ice dams from forming permanently is to have your home properly insulated and ventilated. More than 75% of homes in our area are under-insulated which causes the heat from your home to shoot right through the roof. Having appropriate insulation and ventilation will keep your home free from ice dams and will keep you much more comfortable in both the winter and the summer. You’ll feel the difference immediately, and you’ll see the benefit in your energy bills too.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.