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.

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.

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.

Other Ice Melt Products