Salt Damage to Concrete: How to Protect Your Sidewalks This Winter
As winter arrives, facilities rely on rock salt and ice melts to keep sidewalks, steps, and other high-traffic areas safe. While these de-icing products help prevent slips and falls, they can also contribute to concrete sidewalk damage over time. Proper winter concrete maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan of your surfaces and reduce costly repairs.
How does salt damage concrete surfaces?
The salt itself isn’t what causes concrete damage—it’s the freeze-thaw cycle it accelerates. Rock salt and ice melts lower the freezing point of water, helping to melt ice even in frigid temperatures. However, because concrete is porous, water seeps into the surface. When temperatures drop again, the trapped water refreezes, expands, and creates internal pressure, leading to cracking, scaling, and deterioration. This is especially harmful to new concrete.
Winter Concrete SURFACE Maintenance: How to Prevent Salt Damage
Maintaining safe walkways is critical, but there are ways to minimize concrete sidewalk damage while still preventing ice buildup:
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Use the right amount of salt or ice melt. Overapplication can accelerate surface wear and lead to unnecessary damage. Always follow manufacturer recommendations.
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Combine mechanical removal with de-icing. Shoveling, snow-blowing, or plowing before applying ice melt ensures better results and reduces salt exposure.
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Choose concrete-friendly alternatives. Consider epoxy-mortar surfaces, which are more resistant to harsh winter conditions. These surfaces are less porous and can be sealed for additional protection.
By investing in Simon Surfaces’ epoxy-mortar resurfacing and repair solutions, you can keep your sidewalks, curbs, and high-traffic concrete areas safe while minimizing the long-term effects of winter weather.
Protect your concrete before winter takes its toll—contact Simon Surfaces today to learn more!
