During the winter, there can be a lot of snow and ice buildup on roads and sidewalks. With the ground frozen over and snow piling up on sidewalks, it can be difficult for pedestrians to navigate their way around town without slipping and falling on icy patches. Air-entrained concrete can be a solution to this problem.
This blog post discusses the benefits of using air-entrained concrete to show why you should be using it for your sidewalks during the winter!
What is Air-Entrained Concrete?
Air-entrained concrete is resistant to freeze-thaw cycles during the winter season, thanks to the numerous air bubbles in the concrete mix. These air bubbles allow for a cushioning effect when the concrete freezes and thaws, making sure your sidewalks remain safe for use throughout the year and preventing them from inflating during winters!
Professional contractors like Prime Asphalt recommend using air-entrained concrete due to its various benefits.
Benefits of Using Air-Entrained Concrete
Workability
Contractors usually characterize concrete in terms of its workability. The term identifies how easy it is to pour and place concrete on a construction site. Air-entrained concrete is more workable than traditional concrete because it consists of tiny air bubbles that make the mixture more lightweight and easier to manipulate.
Building sidewalks out of this material means you will have no problem putting them into place, regardless of how cold or hot the weather gets!
Water Resistance
Water is the Achilles heel of concrete sidewalks. It can severely damage the sidewalk’s structural integrity when it freezes and then thaws, causing cracks to form in the concrete.
Air-entrained concrete is specifically designed to prevent water from seeping into the surface pores during construction, meaning you don’t have to worry about your sidewalks cracking when winter comes! The density of air bubbles in the concrete sidewalk gives freezing water enough space to expand safely.
Segregation
Segregation is an unwanted phenomenon that occurs once you pour concrete in place. The process involves the downward movement of the heavier concrete particles to the bottom of the slab. The movement of heavier particles displaces water to the surface, weakening the concrete.
When air-entrained concrete is used, you can easily prevent segregation. The presence of air bubbles means no heavy particles to move down and weaken the slab.
The presence of water bubbles means that air is evenly distributed through the entire slab, allowing concrete to expand and contract as needed. This leads to longer-lasting, better-quality sidewalks that won’t crack or deteriorate prematurely. Segregation can lead to crack formation within a sidewalk, which is dangerous because it allows water and moisture into the slab compromising its strength and durability. This means that you will have to replace your sidewalk sooner than expected, resulting in additional repair/replacement work costs.
Experts at Prime Asphalt recommend using the air-entrained concrete sidewalk for the winter season in Waco, TX. Request an estimate now, and our experts will visit your property to install the pavement. We offer a dedicated service and ensure that your pavement survives the winter challenge that lies ahead with flying colors. Whether you require parking lot maintenance or asphalt repairs, you can count on us for quality service.
