Is There A Way To Resurface A Salt-Damaged Concrete Driveway?

Salt for the driveway is one of the most popular ways to keep the roads safe during winter. However, salt has a tendency to damage concrete driveways. This is because salt combines with moisture in the air and then dries out when it’s exposed to sunlight. If a concrete driveway is left unprotected by sealant or paint, it can become pitted and cracked due to this moisture process. Fortunately, there are ways to fix this problem quickly and properly—even if your driveway has been damaged for years!

Concrete Safe Ice Melt

Salt damage can be serious, but there are ways to fix your driveway.

Using salt for the driveway may damage the concrete. In fact, it can be hard to see because salt damage often appears as tiny cracks and depressions in the surface of your driveway. This can happen with your roof as well if you’re using salt as a roof melts.

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These cracks and depressions develop over time from exposure to road salt, which dissolves in water and then freezes when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero Celsius). Because salt absorbs moisture from the air, it creates a brine solution beneath your driveway surface that causes the concrete to expand and contract at different rates than it would normally—resulting in cracks and other unsightly damage.

Repairing salt-damaged concrete is a bit of a process, but it’s worth it.

Whether you’re trying to repair a concrete driveway or simply make it last longer, it’s best to use a concrete repair product. 

If you’re going to do this work yourself, follow manufacturer instructions carefully and apply at least two coats of material per day —this may take three days total for small areas or up to one month for large ones! 

Avoid the salt for the driveway

One solution that won’t damage your driveway is to use an ice melt that doesn’t contain salt. Safe Paw, for example, is a granular de-icer that’s made of naturally occurring minerals and doesn’t contain any chloride or sodium compounds. It’s safe for concrete patios and driveways, but it also melts snow quickly without damaging the underlying surface. If you’re going to use an alternative to salt on your driveway anyway, consider switching from rock salt to this alternative product.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you some insight into how to repair the damage from salt on your concrete driveway. If you’re still not sure, we recommend reaching out to a professional who can help.

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