Is Salt Secretly DESTROYING Your Concrete?

Learn why de-icers do more harm than good and how to protect your concrete from winter’s assault.

“Winter is coming,” which means it’s time to prepare for battle against ice and snow. While salt might seem like your greatest ally to keep your driveway and sidewalks slip-free, it may actually be a double agent working against you. Traitor!

Reclaiming your concrete throne requires strategy – and salt, despite its popularity, isn’t always on your concrete’s side. So, before you arm yourself with a bag of de-icer, let’s dive into why salt may be your concrete’s enemy and what alternatives you can deploy to win the battle without damaging your driveway.

Salt, the Great Deceiver and Concrete’s Undoing

Corrosion from Within

When you sprinkle salt (typically sodium chloride) on icy concrete, it melts the ice, creating salty water that seeps into your concrete’s pores. Once inside, this salty solution starts breaking down the concrete’s structure from within.

The real trouble? As winter rolls on, freeze-thaw cycles cause that trapped water to expand and contract, leading to cracks, crumbles, and chaos for your concrete.

Freeze-Thaw Frenzy: Damage Multiplied

Salt’s melting magic typically only lasts until temperatures dip below 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9.4 Celsius), at which point it leaves you hanging high and dry – for now.

The melted water can refreeze, creating slippery spots and leading to additional cracking when the ice expands within the concrete. Think of it as a never-ending wintertime ambush, with each freeze-thaw cycle exposing more concrete to damage.

Protecting Your Concrete Throne

Here’s how you can strengthen your concrete’s defenses against winter’s assaults:

Swap Salt for Safer Traction Boosters

Add some grip without the chemicals! Cat litter, sand, or even wood chips can give you the traction you need without the damaging effects of salt.

Seal It Up: Concrete’s Winter Armor

Sealing your concrete with a high-quality penetrating sealer gives it a protective barrier, making it harder for salty water to infiltrate and cause damage. Although sealing won’t make your concrete invincible, it’s a powerful way to slow down the attack.

Salt Sparingly

If you absolutely must use salt, be strategic! After the snow melts, sweep away any extra salt to keep it from seeping further into the concrete. A little cleanup can make a big difference.

Use Heated Concrete and Mats

Imagine a world where you never need to shovel, sprinkle salt, or deal with ice again. With heated concrete or plug-in snow-melting mats, that dream can become a reality.

While these options are more of an investment, they eliminate the need for wintertime maintenance and keep your concrete protected from winter’s harsh elements.

Note: Be confident in the base under your concrete before installing a heating system, as it can fail if the concrete settles over time.

Consider Chemical Allies

• Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride is like the special ops of de-icers. Effective down to around -25 degrees Fahrenheit (about -31 Celsius), it works at temperatures salt can’t handle.

It’s a solid choice if you need serious ice-melting power, but remember, even calcium chloride isn’t completely harmless to concrete – it’s just less damaging than traditional salt.

• Magnesium Chloride

Slightly less effective than calcium chloride, magnesium chloride works at moderately low temperatures and requires a bit more product to do the job. It’s gentler on concrete than sodium chloride but comes with a higher price tag.

Ready to Win the Winter War?

By using salt alternatives and keeping your concrete sealed, your driveway and sidewalks will be one step ahead of winter’s siege. So, as you prepare for the snow and ice this season, remember: with the right tactics, you can keep your concrete in top shape all year long!

Want a little extra reinforcements in the fight against winter? A-1 Concrete Leveling is here to help you protect your concrete with maintenance and repairs at over 30 nationwide locations. Request a free estimate to help make sure your concrete is ready to face the elements – and come out strong!