Houston’s weather is pretty great in the winter. We don’t really need to worry about heavy snow slowing us down or consistently frigid temperatures more than once every hundred years or so. Houston residents can likely go outside and enjoy a nice temperate sunny day with averages in the 60s December through February. There’s not much need to keep deicing salt in the garage because it only really freezes overnight a handful of times. Heck, most households don’t even have a snow shovel or snow blower.
That may not be the case anymore after last year’s freak Spring freeze, but still, the likelihood of something like that happening again anytime soon is low. That’s not to say, however, that there aren’t more common winter issues that still affect the Houston area. That means some preparations to deal with potentially difficult or dangerous scenarios are still in order. Here are a few reasons to make having level concrete slabs and surfaces a priority for this year.
Three Great Reasons To Level Concrete Driveways And Sidewalks Slabs This Winter
- Keep Your Friends And Family Safe From Tripping Hazards. If you’re planning on having friends and family over this season, their safety should be a priority. Don’t be a contributing factor in someone hurting themselves. Trips can be easily avoided in most cases. Don’t be negligent about your property and the safety hazards it may present.
- If There Is A Freeze, Standing Water Is An Issue. It’s likely that Huston will still freeze around ten times this winter. It’s also a pretty good chance that we’ll see a week or so per month of rainy weather. Those two variables combine to make standing water turning into sheets of ice. Standing water occurs when concrete slabs are unlevel and allow for drainage water to collect in between them.
- Putting Up Holiday Lights Doesn’t Have To Be Dangerous. Those lights can be a huge hassle in terms of time and money. It will all be for nothing, however, if you or one of your family members falls off the ladder because it wasn’t secure. Concrete slabs that are on different levels or tilted planes are sure recipes for disaster when it comes to using a tall ladder.
Other Winter Maintenance Priorities For Houston Winter
- Pool Maintenance includes removing dirt and other debris that has accumulated in the pool. This will keep the pipes clean and the filtration system active and functional. Keeping the water from becoming stagnant is also important in making sure your pool doesn’t freeze if temperatures drop below freezing for a few days in a row. Lastly, check your pump, filter and heater regularly to make sure everything is working properly.
- Lawn Care going into a Texas winter is important in guaranteeing a healthy full lawn for the spring and into summer. Because of moderate temps you should continue watering, keep the grass length short. Aerating, fertilizing and over seeding are also important steps in making sure your lawn is ready for winter and looking its best into spring. Trimming dead tree branches might not be a bad idea, additionally, just in case a heavy ice storm does happen to make its way through the metro again.
- Auto Maintenance heading into winter should include checking brakes and tires to make sure tire tread is significant and pads are braking properly. Check fluids and fill accordingly. Lastly make sure your battery has charge, lights aren’t going out, and wipers are still clearing the windshield.
- HVAC Preparations should include checking the filters, cleaning and clearing out anything that shouldn’t be in the system including dirt, dust bunnies and other debris. Also, make sure to seal any leaks in order to maintain energy efficiency. If you observe any damages to the system, be sure to call a professional to come out for an inspection.
- Plumbing and preventing frozen pipes is still on the radar for most Houstonians as a preventative measure. This includes…
- Disconnect internal pipes from the outside faucet.
- Insulate your pipes.
- Leave the faucet dripping when a freeze is on the way.
- Keep the heat inside the home at 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minimum).
- Emergency Supplies are obviously just in case, but definitely important as we saw last spring! These should include but are not limited to…
- Water (One gallon per person, per day. )
- Non-Perishable Food
- Generators
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Essential Medications
- Pet Supplies
- Gasoline
- Fire Extinguisher
Tilted Concrete Is Houston’s Premier Concrete Leveling Company Near You
The erosion of dirt underneath concrete sidewalks, driveways and patios and pool decks is going to happen over time. Sinking and settling slabs happen without the proper maintenance required to keep water from getting into the ground underneath your heavy concrete surfaces. If voids have already begun to form underneath the concrete then filling them early on is important in order to stop further damage from occurring in the future at accelerated rates. Tilted Concrete Solutions is Houston’s leading expert in getting the job done right the first time. If you think your concrete slabs are sinking or settling give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!
