Stop frost wedging
Frost wedging caused by winter’s freeze-thaw cycle, can cause concrete surfaces to crack and shatter. Here’s why it happens and how you can stop it with Pristine Clean.
Pristine Clean technicians perform their popular “Concrete Wash and Seal,” which beautifies your driveway and helps prevent cracking during Northeast Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycle.
I remember reading as a kid a science story about a boy who filled a cannonball hole with water, sealed it, then left it outside during winter to freeze.
The cannonball split open.
This story illustrates “frost wedging,” the staggering mechanical force water exerts as it expands when it freezes. It was famously demonstrated by the Florentine Academy in the 17th century. The academicians conducted experiments in which they filled thick, hollow metal spheres (brass or copper “bombs”) completely with water, sealed them tightly, and subjected them to subzero temperatures. The tremendous pressure generated by freezing water caused these heavy metal vessels to rupture violently.
But you don’t have to travel to Italy or go back in time to see frost wedging in action. It happens to your driveway every winter as rainwater and melting snow seep into porous concrete, freeze, expand and force it apart. This results in chipping, pitting and cracking, which in turn allow more water to enter, freeze again and cause further damage. Road salt worsens the effect by lowering the freezing point of water, creating even greater pressure when the salt water finally freezes.
That’s the science. Here’s the solution: Power-wash and seal your concrete.
1,400+ Google Reviews | 4.9 Stars
Power washing concrete is best handled by a professional company with properly trained technicians, modern commercial equipment and the right sealant. The “King of Concrete Protection” is Ken Wilson, founder of Pristine Clean, the largest locally owned power-washing company in the region. Since 2008, Ken and his teams have power washed thousands of Northeast Ohio homes, earning more than 1,400 Google reviews and a virtually perfect 4.9-star average.
“Our technicians are highly trained and experienced,” Ken says. “They receive both classroom instruction and an in-field apprenticeship. They understand the nuances of power washing different surfaces and know how to adjust pressure and techniques to achieve optimal results.”
Ken enhances these skills by investing in leading-edge equipment and maintaining it regularly to keep it performing at peak levels. This ensures thorough cleaning and reduces the risk of property damage. Each year during the off-season, he expands his fleet of trucks and equipment.
The Right Sealant
But when it comes to protecting your driveway, power washing isn’t enough. The secret is using the right sealant. “After cleaning your driveway, we use a combination of silane and siloxane,” Ken explains. “These compounds are chemically similar, but silane molecules are smaller and penetrate more deeply, while siloxane provides broader surface protection.”
Together, Ken adds, the two compounds form an invisible, hydrophobic (water-repellent) barrier within both the large and small pores of the concrete, reducing water absorption and protecting against de-icing salts, mold, and mildew, and, most importantly, frost wedging caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.
Full Service
In addition to cleaning and sealing concrete, Pristine also cleans and protects your home’s siding and roof. And the company’s Roof Renew service applies a soy-based shingle rejuvenation to restore the shingles’ original flexibility and function, adding up to 15 years to the life of your roof.
Pristine Clean Power Washing
Serving all of Northeast Ohio
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