Is salt ok for my concrete?

Introduction Rock salt is usually sprayed on roads and driveways during winters to melt ice and snow. According to a report published by the Transportation Research Board, approximately 10 million tons of salt are used every year to clear icy roads and driveways in the USA alone. While this is an effective method for melting ice and snow, the question is, does salt damage your concrete? The Truth The answer is yes, salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don’t just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete.

How exactly does salt damage concrete?

Concrete happens to be a porous material that absorbs water easily. During winters, water on roads and driveways is turned to ice or snow – however, this itself does not cause damage to the concrete. What really causes concrete to deteriorate are deicers, such as salt. Similarly, in coastal climates, moisture in the air contains high levels of sodium chloride, which can cause concrete to crumble and become discolored over time.

The science behind salt damage to concrete

Salt damage to concrete mainly occurs due to chemicals that react with the surface of the road or pavement. These structures are generally made with white-gray concrete. The calcium hydroxide present in concrete reacts with the calcium chloride in salt, creating calcium oxychloride (CAOXY) in salt, thus wreaking havoc. When forming inside concrete, CAOXY crystals expand, causing internal cracks and crumbling. This leads to increased salt damage to concrete driveways - which is further amplified by the effect of the freeze-thaw cycle.

Salt also lowers the freezing point of water and increases the pressure of frozen water, thereby intensifying the effect of the freeze-thaw cycle. When ice melts, it carries approximately 10% more water than normal. In lower temperatures, this extra water adds additional ice to the concrete upon refreezing, which adds hydraulic pressure to the concrete.

What choice to I have?

At Kynock Resources we realize that many folks have concrete walkways, driveways and stairs.  To give options to contractors who provide snowclearing we offer bulk traction sand and crusher dust!  These products will create a rough texture on the surface of the ice preventing slipping!