You can help
maintain the longevity of your concrete by keeping your driveway, sidewalks and
steps clear of snow and ice during the winter months.
Clearing the snow and ice will lessen
the chance that it will compact down and freeze into the surface and accelerate
the freeze and thaw cycle. The less
number of times that water enters concrete and freezes, the less likely that it
will become damaged over time. If you
are using a shovel to clear the snow, using a plastic shovel instead of a metal
one is best. Bent and sharp corners of a
metal shovel can damage the surface of concrete.
The most common deicing agent is
regular rock salt or sodium chloride. It
is widely available and can melt snow and ice until the temperature drops below
15˚F. Calcium chloride is another
deicing agent that is commonly used. It
can melt snow and ice well below 15˚F; after rock salt stops working and it is
marginally less caustic than regular rock salt.
Calcium chloride is also safer around grassy areas where rock salt can
kill the grass.
The common property of all types of
deicers is that they are all chemically caustic and have the potential to
damage concrete especially after time.
Another potential problem with using a deicer is the damage caused by
increased freeze and thaw cycles as previously mentioned. For example; when a product melts snow and
ice, it will enter the pores of the concrete as salty water. It will refreeze after the temperature drops
and will expand into the pores of the concrete causing damage.
One alternative to deicers is to
spread sand or fine gravel on the concrete for traction. If safety is a concern and you must use a
deicer then remove the ice and residue immediately after the product has melted
the snow and ice. If you must
consistently use a deicer of some type, first protect the concrete with a salt
resistant sealer. There are many
sealants available that will protect your concrete from the effects of caustic
substances such as salt. There are also
sealants with a grip additive built into them than can increase traction as
well.
