How to Winterize Your Outdoor Patio

The cold temperatures of winter can cause unnecessary damage to your concrete patio and other outdoor living pieces. If you have a concrete patio, it helps to know how to winterize it. But how do you ensure that your concrete patio can withstand the chilly winter weather?

Preparing your patio for the winter months saves you time and money. Trust our Armor Coatings Co team to help you winterize your patio so your concrete will last and serve you well for decades.

Effects of Winter on Concrete

Although salt works well to deice your concrete patio and create traction during winter, it can cause significant floor damage. Salt lowers the freezing point of water and attracts moisture, potentially causing your concrete to crack and need repair.

Also, when water hits unsealed concrete during winter, it seeps into the concrete surface. The trapped water eventually freezes and expands, causing cracks and other forms of deterioration.

Preventing Concrete Damage Caused by Cold Weather

The best way to prevent damage to your concrete floor caused by winter is to seal it. A high-quality sealer provides the extra protection your concrete patio needs from freezing temperatures, snow, water, chemicals, ice, salt, and other harsh substances.

Sealers also help bring out the natural beauty of your concrete surface and make it easier to clean. But a sealer requires a proper application to work effectively. Trust us at Armor Coatings Co for professional sealer application.

If you care for your floor and adequately winterize your patio, the concrete surface will stay visually appealing, strong, and durable for years to come.

Beyond Concrete

Winterizing your property involves more than just protecting your concrete surface. You also need to prepare other elements of your patio. The following tips will help keep everything on your patio safe from the harsh winter weather and ready for use during warmer weather:

Clean and Store Your Patio Furniture

Before you put away your patio furniture, clean it and give it ample time to dry before packing it up to prevent mold growth while in storage. Use a patio cover, if possible, to prevent the furniture from gathering dust.

Clean Patio Cushions

Manufacturers often make patio cushions from all-weather fabric that can handle moisture. However, your cushions can deteriorate faster when wet, so consider scrubbing them with a soapy sponge and water, then let them dry completely for a couple of days to make sure there’s no moisture.

Once dry, wrap them in a cover, garbage bag, or old sheet and store them indoors.

Clean the Grill

If your grill burns wood or charcoal, empty the ashes and use a metal brush to scrub the grates. If you have a gas grill, disconnect the gas line and safely store the tank in a shed or the garage.

Store Garden Tools and Accessories

Keep your garden tools and accessories out of the snow and moisture by storing them in a shed or garage.

Clean and Store Umbrellas

Clean your umbrellas thoroughly before storing them for the winter in a shed or garage, and ensure it is fully dry before packing them away.

Freshen Up the Patio

It always helps to get dirt and grime off your patio before winter arrives. Power washing or using a hose with an attachment nozzle will remove any dirt and debris, preventing this grime from building up over the winter months.

Keep Using the Patio

If you’re fortunate to live in an area with mild winters, you may still use your patio throughout the winter. Keep everything covered, and consider outdoor patio heaters to keep you warm during those chilly evenings outdoors.

Don’t Forget About Lighting

While string lights work well for outdoor spaces in the summer, you may want to take them down to prepare for winter. Heavy snow or wind may easily damage your lights.

Let Us Help You Winterize Your Patio

Armor Coatings Co has plenty of experience installing patio coatings and sealers. Our attention to detail and drive to exceed customer expectations sets us apart from other concrete coating contractors.

We have the training and experience to provide professional concrete coating services, and each of our technicians strives to deliver the best service possible.

Besides patio coatings, we offer several concrete coating services, including commercial coatings, concrete floor repair, spalling concrete repair, and salt pit removal.

Call us today at (715) 934-9037 to request a free quote and schedule a service to winterize your patio. We look forward to transforming your concrete patio and making it last.

How Much Do Your Concrete Floor Coatings Cost?

Each project is customized to your particular concrete flooring needs. Every job we do is different, because we offer different types of coatings and finishes.  We will work with you to develop a free estimate keeping your budget in mind. 

How Long Will The Concrete Coating Last?

We use the highest quality materials in our polyaspartic floor coatings and we’ve perfected our application process to make the concrete coating permanent.  Once completely cured and adhered, the concrete coating is meant to last as long as the substrate it’s adhered to.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Over Epoxy Floor Coatings?

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings dry more quickly than Epoxy Floor Coatings, and the finish is also more durable.  Our floor concrete coating finishes are also more slip-resistant and will not discolor like some Epoxy Floor Coatings.

How Long Do I Need To Stay Off My Concrete Floor Coating After It Is Installed?

Our flooring cures within a few hours, however our team of professionals recommends waiting at least 4-6 hours before walking on your brand new concrete coated flooring. After 12 hours, you can begin moving lightweight objects onto the flooring, like light patio furniture.  We recommend waiting a full 24 hours before moving anything heavy back into the area where we’ve applied the coating (your car, heavy equipment or furniture etc.).

Will My New Concrete Floor Coating Turn Yellow?

It sure won’t! Our concrete floor coverings will not yellow or discolor, because they are UV stable. This  one of the many benefits of using Polyurea or Polyaspartic floor coatings.

Will I Need To Reseal My Concrete Floor Coating?

If you follow our maintenance and cleaning guidelines, you should not have to worry about resealing the concrete floor coating. We offer a professional grade cleaner that will easily remove stains or tire marks, but will also preserve the life of your concrete coating topcoat.

How Long Does It Take You To Apply Concrete Floor Coatings?

We’ve perfected our 6-step application process, so most typical projects take between 5-10 hours depending on the square footage.  We pride ourselves in a one-day application, and will do everything possible to stay within that time frame.  Rainy weather can delay the project, but it is rare.

How Do I Care For My Concrete Floor Coating?

You can clean our concrete coatings with typical sweeping, mopping or steaming, and hoses.  We offer maintenance services should your concrete flooring ever need cleaning, however you can also use non-abrasive cleaners, like CLR, to remove grease or other stains. 

Will Oil Stain My Concrete Floor Coating?

Armor coatings are oil resistant as well as moisture resistant.

Who Invented Polyaspartic Coatings?

Bayer Material Science first developed Polyaspartic coatings in the 1990’s to protect steel bridges and infrastructure from rusting and corrosion. It has since been modified for different applications, once being durable concrete flooring coatings.

What Are Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings?

Polyaspartic Concrete coating is another name for Aliphatic Polyurea, which is a hybrid material consisting of ester and other materials. It was originally developed to coat metal bridges.  It was later used to coat concrete flooring due to its durability and moisture resistance. Polyurea is also used to coat truck bed liners.

Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used Outside?

They sure can!  We offer wonderful solutions for driveways, patios, and even the area around the pool.  Our coatings are all UV stable, which will help prevent discoloration or flaking.

What Types Of Environments Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used?

Polyaspartic flooring coatings can be used in a variety of environments.  The durability, slip resistant finish is fantastic for any industrial setting, storefronts, patios, or even driveways or garages.

How Are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Applied?

We have perfected a six step process for applying Polyaspartic Floor Coatings that involves prepping the floor, basecoating, applying chips, scraping the chips, and applying the clear UV protective clear coat. 

Can I Apply Polyaspartic Floor Coatings In Cold Temperatures?

You can!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are safe to apply in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees.

How Long Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Take To Dry?

Our Polyaspartic Floor Coatings are engineered to rapidly cure, and can be dry in a matter of a few hours!  However, we recommend waiting at least 5-6 hours before walking on newly applied coating and 24 hours before moving heavy objects back onto the flooring.

Do I Need To Hire A Professional To Install Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

Installing Polyaspartic Floor Coating correctly is critical to the appearance and durability of your flooring.  Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that your flooring will look amazing and last a lifetime! Our team at Armor Coatings is certified in Polyaspartic Floor Coating installation and have many years of experience.

Is It Possible To Cover Existing Epoxy Floor Coating With Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

It is!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are specially formulated for their incredible adhesion properties.  If you have existing patches of epoxy coating, our team can sand it down, vacuum, and wipe down the area with a solvent.  Once prepped, we will apply your new, superior, Polyaspartic Floor Coating