How Does Salt Affect Concrete
As ice freezes on the concrete, it creates a dangerous, slick surface. Driveways, sidewalks, patios, and parking lots covered with ice can cause falls, making you liable for injuries. So most people rely on deicers such as salt because it does a great job melting ice, but it also damages concrete surfaces over time.
How does salt damage concrete surfaces? Salt lowers the pH balance in the concrete. Because it is acidic, it weakens the strength of the concrete and increases the sizes of the pores. This allows water and other elements to penetrate the surface. Salt also attracts and retains water, absorbing 10% more water into the concrete. When the water freezes in the concrete, the pressure of frozen water increases. This causes pits, cracks,
flakes, potholes as well as concrete scaling in the surface. In addition, salt corrodes metal surfaces on patio furniture and other objects.
Fortuately, there are more eco-friendly alternatives to using salt if you are trying to perserve the lifespan of your concrete surface.
Green Ice Melting Alternatives
We all know the best way to remove ice and snow is using a shovel. However, shoveling can be a hard, tedious task, especically if the ice is glued to the surface. Here is a list of ice melting alternatives that are safer than using salt:
1. Cat Litter
Kitty litter doesn't melt ice and snow, but it provides traction to prevent slippery surfaces.
2. Wood Chips, Sand or Gravel
Wood chips, sand, and gravel provide traction to icy concrete surfaces.
3. Beet Juice
Because beet juice is effective in temperatures below 20 degrees, it is used to melt ice on municipal roads and driveways.
4. Heated Stair Mats
How does salt damage concrete surfaces? Salt lowers the pH balance in the concrete. Because it is acidic, it weakens the strength of the concrete and increases the sizes of the pores. This allows water and other elements to penetrate the surface. Salt also attracts and retains water, absorbing 10% more water into the concrete. When the water freezes in the concrete, the pressure of frozen water increases. This causes pits, cracks,
flakes, potholes as well as concrete scaling in the surface. In addition, salt corrodes metal surfaces on patio furniture and other objects.
Fortuately, there are more eco-friendly alternatives to using salt if you are trying to perserve the lifespan of your concrete surface.
Green Ice Melting Alternatives
We all know the best way to remove ice and snow is using a shovel. However, shoveling can be a hard, tedious task, especically if the ice is glued to the surface. Here is a list of ice melting alternatives that are safer than using salt:
1. Cat Litter
Kitty litter doesn't melt ice and snow, but it provides traction to prevent slippery surfaces.
2. Wood Chips, Sand or Gravel
Wood chips, sand, and gravel provide traction to icy concrete surfaces.
3. Beet Juice
Because beet juice is effective in temperatures below 20 degrees, it is used to melt ice on municipal roads and driveways.
4. Heated Stair Mats