Concrete Vs Asphalt Driveway – Effect Of Salt Based Ice Melt

You’re trying to stay ahead of the ice and slippery surface as a wintery mix of precipitation falls. While salt can be an effective de-icing agent, you should consider the type of surface you have and the surrounding environment before stocking up, as ice melt damage concrete. Understanding the differences between asphalt and concrete driveway surfaces is a proactive step toward protecting your investment.

We’ve compiled a list of salt substitutes that are much better for the environment and those around you:

Ice Melt For Concrete

Salt Does Not Affect An Asphalt Driveway.

Professionally installed asphalt or parking lot owners should not experience pavement damage as a result of salt use. Hot-mix asphalt surfaces are made from petroleum, stones, and sand. Asphalt pavement is installed to withstand the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of the winter season. As a result, deicing agents such as salt do not affect your driveway or parking lot.

Have no fear if your driveway or parking lot was installed correctly by a professional in your area. The salt application will not affect your pavement. It is because hot-mix asphalt pavement is made up in proportion to the needs of the area to be paved. Understand that potholes aren’t caused by sprinkling salt on your driveway. You should keep an eye out for cracks on your asphalt surface and seal it before it’s too late. 

Potholes form when water seeps into exposed cracks in the asphalt driveway. It is followed by freeze-thaw cycles that expand and contract the water. As a result, larger cracks eventually turn into potholes. The constant weight of cars and trucks on the asphalt surface directly impacts vulnerable paved areas. To avoid salting the driveway during the freeze-thaw cycles, follow up with professional snow removal and plowing.

Salt Is The Cause Of Concrete Deterioration.

However, if you have a concrete pavement surface, you might have some issues because salt deteriorates concrete. Salt is mildly acidic, which breaks down the bonds that hold the concrete together; concrete freezes more quickly than other surfaces, necessitating more salting; concrete overpasses and bridges are reinforced with steel, which is corroded by salt.

On concrete paved surfaces, the majority of potholes and road cracks occur. It is due to the acidic nature of salt, which causes direct damage to concrete. Concrete also freezes faster than most other surfaces, necessitating driveway-safe ice melt to deice it. When it comes to applying salt to your driveway or parking lot, keep these facts in mind.

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Vital Issues About Concrete

Let’s take a closer look at the vital issues about concrete with regard to your driveway. These are what we consider to be the compressive strength, the magic of air entrainment, and the role of admixtures. Would you like me to help you break that down so that it makes perfect sense for your materials in the next DIY project or while talking to your contractor?

Compressive Strength

By now you must be asking yourself about the compressive strength of concrete. It is important as this will tell you how much weight you can put on top of it before it fails – pretty handy for a driveway that may have to bear either a car or a truck making deliveries. A residential driveway would need a minimum compressive strength of 3,000-4,000 psi. The higher strengths mean less likelihood of cracking and damage over time. Remember this when planning your mix or choosing pre-mixed options.

Air Entrainment

Okay, now bubbles – yes bubbles! Air entrainment is when these little tiny air pockets are added into your concrete mix which is quite cool. Why does that matter? Because these little air pockets within it are like those little shock absorbers in your car; they add flexibility to it such as being able to withstand freezing and thawing cycles without necessarily shattering into pieces. This is more important especially where winters are harshly cold. The addition of air-entraining admixtures can help reduce the annoying frost damage to your driveways.

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Driveway Concrete Admixtures

Speaking of admixtures, these are your concrete’s best friends. They tweak the properties of your plain old concrete to make it tougher, last longer, and cure correctly. You’ve got types that speed up the hardening, some that slow it down (handy when it’s hot out), and others that boost its strength or make it less permeable to water. When talking about installation and maintenance, choosing the right admixtures can make a massive difference in how well your driveway stands up to whatever life throws at it.

Practical Tips:

• Always discuss with your supplier or contractor about the best type of concrete mix and admixtures for your specific situation. Climate, soil type, and usage can all influence what’s best for your driveway.
• During installation, ensure the concrete is evenly spread and properly levelled. Poor installation can lead to water pooling and faster deterioration.
• For maintenance, regular cleaning and periodic sealing of the concrete can extend its life and maintain its appearance.

Remember, while going DIY can be tempting, professional advice and installation can save you from costly mistakes. Always weigh the cost benefits and long-term durability when planning your project.

Summing Up

Even though salt makes our lives easier and safer by preventing fatalities and accidents during the cold winter months, we should be aware of its environmental impact as ice melt damage concrete. Prevent this by shoveling or plowing snow and then applying an icemelt that is non-toxic and safe with the least amount of environmental impact. Safe Paw is an ice and snow melter that is guaranteed to be safe. It is non-toxic and completely harmless for pets as well as property. This winter, use Safe Paw Saltless Ice Melt to stay safe on icy sidewalks and driveways.

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