Common Causes Of Asphalt Driveway Damage

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Winter is finally here, and we all have started preparing for it. From festivals to holidays to the snow; the wait is almost over. 

If you’re a responsible homeowner who takes care of the snow deposits around your house, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss the biggest threat to your asphalt driveway and what you can do about it.

You might be using rock salt for your driveway, thinking that it won’t harm it in any way, but the fact is, it does. 

Should You Use Rock Salt on Asphalt Driveways? Is it Harmful?

You may already know that rock salt is nothing but sodium chloride. It is highly corrosive and can damage unsealed asphalt. This is because rock salt accelerates the normal deterioration because of the freeze/thaw cycle in the winter season. This, in turn, shortens the lifespan of the asphalt.

Although a well-maintained asphalt driveway is less prone to salt damages, if you’ve not been able to take proper care of your driveway in the past, then chances are that salt will cause irreparable damages to your driveway. Proper maintenance includes repair of cracks, adding a seal coating, and fixing any water penetrations. 

Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Concrete Driveway Damage

If you’ve ever noticed cracks and crumbling on your concrete driveway after winter, you’ve experienced the effect of freeze-thaw cycles. Here’s how it works: water seeps into the tiny cracks and pores in your driveway. When the temperature drops, the water freezes, expands, and creates more pressure on the concrete. This cycle repeats over the winter, leading to significant concrete driveway damage over time. It’s frustrating—and expensive.

But that’s only part of the problem. The real culprit often lies in what we use to deal with ice. Typical ice melt products, especially those containing sodium chloride (rock salt), can be just as harmful. Salt seeps into those same cracks and accelerates the freeze-thaw damage. As the salty water freezes and melts, it forces the concrete apart, worsening the cracks and leading to what’s called salt damage concrete.

Chemical Reactions: The Salt Effect

Let’s talk about the chemistry here. When you use salt, it lowers the freezing point of water, which might sound like a great solution. However, this comes with consequences. The salty water enters the concrete, and as temperatures fluctuate, it repeatedly freezes and melts. This isn’t just a physical problem but a chemical one. The salt reacts with the minerals in the concrete, leading to pitting, scaling, and severe surface damage.

If that wasn’t enough, the corrosion doesn’t stop on the surface. Salty water can penetrate deeper, corroding the steel reinforcement bars within the concrete. This rusting metal expands, cracking the concrete from the inside out. This is why choosing the best ice melt for concrete is crucial to avoid these hidden dangers.

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Why Safe Paw is Different

So, what’s the alternative? The simple answer is to avoid salt altogether. Driveway protection from salt damage starts with using an ice melt that’s non-corrosive and gentle on surfaces, like Safe Paw.

Safe Paw is a unique solution that doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals like sodium chloride or calcium chloride, both of which contribute to concrete driveway damage. It’s formulated to be a concrete-safe ice melt, meaning it won’t lead to the dreaded pitting and cracking seen with other products. Instead of reacting aggressively with the concrete, Safe Paw is designed to melt ice efficiently while protecting your driveway, your pets, and the environment.

Prevention is Key

Protecting your driveway isn’t just about choosing the right product—it’s about being proactive. Seal your concrete before winter hits to reduce water absorption, and always avoid using products that can trigger chemical reactions leading to salt damage concrete. With Safe Paw, you’re not only getting an effective ice melt, but you’re also investing in long-term protection for your property.

Remember, a little extra care now can save you from expensive repairs later. Choose wisely—because the best ice melt shouldn’t just melt ice; it should protect what matters most.

Alternatives to Rock Salt

So now that you know that rock salt is dangerous for your asphalt driveway, don’t you think you should use an alternative? Here are the top alternatives to rock salt.

• Ice Melts

You must have started looking for a safe pet ice melter. Most of the ice melt solutions in the market are chemical compounds. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are the main ingredients of most ice melt compounds. ​​ 

• Magnesium chloride snowmelt is effective to -10 degrees but also refreezes quickly. It can cause corrosive damage on asphalt and concrete, as well.

The crux of the matter is that calcium chloride and magnesium chloride ice melt do work in sub-zero temperatures, but there can be consequences for your driveway.

Safe Paw is an ice melt that is 100% safe, easy to use, and affordable. To use it, all you need to do is spread it across your driveway even before the winter season, and it won’t let the snow get deposited there. Unlike calcium and magnesium chloride snowmelt, Safe Paw is safe on your asphalt driveway.

• Plastic Shovels

Plastic shovels are one of the oldest yet effective ways of removing snow from the driveways and other areas. However, this requires a lot of manual work and time. Also, if you prefer using shovels, make sure you use a plastic shovel instead of a metal shovel. This is because metal shovels can scrap the driveway surface. 

• Heating Systems

This is the only method that doesn’t require any kind of manual work. All you need to do is install a heating system beneath your driveway. However, it’s not for everyone as it requires you to install a brand new driveway, and that’s very expensive. So the majority of the people refrain from doing it.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

To Conclude-

Rock salt might be the cheapest solution to get rid of the snow but isn’t a good ice melter for wood decks and even asphalt driveways. Use the other alternatives and keep your driveway safe during the winters.

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