Why Stone Pavers Resist Freeze Cracks (and Slabs Don’t)
Across Texas, road crews have been busy repairing freeze cracks and potholes after recent cold snaps. You’ve probably seen the patch crews working intersections and neighborhood streets. One week the pavement looks fine. Then, after a hard temperature swing, cracks and holes suddenly show up. That feels surprising to most drivers. However, engineers expect this pattern. What many homeowners don’t realize is this: the same freeze stress that damages roads can also affect patios, walkways, and driveways. The difference comes down to how the surface system handles movement. That’s where properly installed stone pavers stand apart. Why Freeze Cracks Appear So Quickly Freeze damage doesn’t take long to form. In fact, it can develop after just a few cold nights when moisture and temperature line up. Here’s the simple idea. Water slips into tiny spaces below a surface. Then temperatures drop below freezing. Next, that water turns to ice and expands. Because ice takes up more space than liquid...