Salt Lake City, Stop Salting Your Driveway This Winter
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts that in Salt Lake City, the Winter temperatures and precipitation will be slightly below normal, on average. The coldest periods will be in early to mid-December, late January, and late February. Snowfall will be near normal, with the snowiest periods in early and late December, late January, and late February.
The velvet-white carpet of snow looks beautiful, but it can take a toll on your driveway, rooftop, vehicles, etc. Rock salt and ice melt are common tools we use for surface safety in winters. But did you know they can damage your concrete and asphalt?
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Here’s How Rock Salt Damages Your Driveway-
– How Rocksalt Damages Concrete
Salt or chloride-based ice melt can wreak significant damage to the otherwise highly durable and super strong concrete driveways. When the salt comes in contact with water, it percolates into the crevices of the concrete, forming a solution called brine. As the temperature increases and decreases, the freeze-thaw cycles of the absorbed water damages the surface resulting in cracks.
– How Rocksalt Damages Asphalt
Asphalt is a popular material used in making driveways. It is considered to be better than concrete. Black color asphalt is especially popular as it absorbs heat and helps in melting the snow relatively quickly. However, the fact is that both asphalt and concrete get equally affected by the chemicals present in rock salt and ice melt.
– How Rocksalt Damages Brick Driveways
Like concrete and asphalt, salt damages brick driveways as well. Salts leave crystal deposits on bricks. These deposits, if allowed to seep into brick crevices, can cause “efflorescence.” Efflorescence causes discoloration of bricks, due to which they may look old and worn before they are. Salt increases the hygroscopic moisture content of the masonry. So, salt-induced decay can decompose bricks and mortar.
Rock Salt Alternative That Is Safe To Use On The Driveway
1. Shovelling –
Shovelling away snow from your driveway can leave scratches on the surface or may even chip it off. Moreover, shoveling is not everyone’s favorite way to clear the snow since it involves a lot of effort.
2. Chemical-Free Ice Melt –
Using ice melt is the simplest and most effective cure for your winter woes. Fortunately, there are ice melter for driveway that are safe, non-toxic, and chemical-free. With the help of these ice melt solutions you can make your winters safe and unpolluted.
3. Homemade DIY Solutions –
Apart from using a good ice melt for driveway, you may consider making beetroot juice or using alcohol to remove the snow. But each one of them has associated cons. Check out this article for more details on this.
Using a salt-free ice melter for driveway that is composed of natural ingredients is the best way to clear the snow without damaging your concrete, rooftop, and plants. They are 100% safe to use around kids and pets too. Since they do not have chloride in their blend, they do not harm concrete, asphalt, or bricks. Thus, keeping your driveway safe without having to shovel.
Other Products
Traction Magic – Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
Safe Thaw
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm animals or children, and it won’t damage your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.