<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Sustainable Concrete Works]]></title><description><![CDATA[Quality Concrete, Locally Made Sustainable]]></description><link>https://www.westernwiconcrete.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:42:15 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.westernwiconcrete.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How Concrete Gains Strength — and Why It Breaks Down in Western Wisconsin]]></title><description><![CDATA[Concrete looks solid the day it’s poured, but the real story happens over the following weeks, months, and years. Understanding how concrete strengthens (and what causes it to fail early) helps explain why some driveways and patios in the St. Croix Valley still look good after 20–30 years while others start scaling or cracking within a few winters. How Concrete Gains Strength When water and cement mix, a chemical reaction called hydration begins. This reaction forms crystals that bind the...]]></description><link>https://www.westernwiconcrete.com/post/how-concrete-gains-strength-and-why-it-breaks-down-in-western-wisconsin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8c942130d700055ab2eb72</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 19:01:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_9ed95f9bc15c4def9dada844a5ef361e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mike James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Winter Is Coming: How We Protect New Concrete from Cold-Weather Damage in Western Wisconsin]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fall is here, and in the St. Croix Valley that means one thing for concrete: colder nights are on the way. Wisconsin winters are tough on driveways, patios, sidewalks, and garage slabs. Freeze-thaw cycles, moisture, and de-icing salts can cause scaling, cracking, and surface damage if the concrete wasn’t mixed, placed, and protected correctly. The good news is that most of these problems are preventable when the right steps are taken. Here’s what we focus on at Sustainable Concrete Works when...]]></description><link>https://www.westernwiconcrete.com/post/winter-is-coming-how-we-protect-new-concrete-from-cold-weather-damage-in-western-wisconsin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a8c928b30d700055ab2e7fc</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:53:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_2e89ccd094674657ae6b8139525761b8~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mike James</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Not All Sand Is Created Equal — And That’s Why Your Driveway Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia imports its sand for concrete. Why?]]></description><link>https://www.westernwiconcrete.com/post/not-all-sand-is-created-equal-and-that-s-why-your-driveway-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a7b16372ef2b6d1a5557470</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:42:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64619e_51491a5347004970b5a8d943e7d4e419~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_963,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mike James</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>