Many areas of the country haven’t said goodbye to the winter weather yet, and if you live in an area of the country where winters are particularly harsh, your home or business may have suffered some damage to its stone or brick surfaces.
Snow and ice can cause a lot of damage to stone surfaces if not cleaned properly and in a timely manner. It’s easy for harsh winter conditions to ruin your driveway, roof and walls. But, with the following guidance, you can safely remove snow and ice without harming your masonry surfaces and keep your home or business in great condition:
- Always use the right tools
Never use metal shovels or tools with sharp edges when removing snow and ice from masonry surfaces, as it can easily scratch or chip them. Instead, always use plastic or rubber-tipped tools so that you can remove the snow and ice gently, and without causing harm.
- Use de-icing chemicals with extreme caution
While you might not know it, some de-icing chemicals can cause significant damage and discoloration to masonry surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks, so wherever possible, avoid using such products and go for a homemade solution of salt and sand instead.
- Remove snow and ice swiftly
The longer snow and ice are left to sit on a masonry surface, the more damage it’s likely to cause, so as soon as it’s safe to do so, remove as much snow and ice as you can to stop it from freezing and then expanding; something which typically causes cracking and other types of damage.
If you feel it necessary, such as your home or business is very large or you aren’t able to clear the snow and ice yourself for any number of reasons, you should think about hiring a professional snow removing company, who will always do their best to protect masonry surfaces while getting the job done efficiently.
What do you stand to gain by removing snow and ice from masonry surfaces?
In essence, you can make masonry surfaces used for walking on, a great deal safer by quickly and effectively removing snow and ice, reducing the risk of anyone slipping over and hurting themselves. You can also reduce damage to the property, keep it looking at its best all through the winter months and into the spring, and save yourself some money.
Snow and ice removal from masonry surfaces may not be a fun job, and it certainly isn’t easy, but it’s essential for protecting buildings and sidewalks and keeping them safe. For your masonry surfaces to continue performing at their best for years to come, follow the guidance above during the colder months of the year, and you won’t go far wrong.