Concrete Upkeep: 4 Best Practises You Cannot Avoid
When winter comes, it is crucial to keep your concrete safe and free from cracking. This is a major concern for most owners of commercial properties, especially those with parking lots or driveways on their property. If you want to ensure that your concrete stays in good condition throughout the year, then it’s imperative that you take preventative measures to keep it protected during this time of year. We will answer all your burning questions like— why ice melt damages concrete, etc. Stay tuned!
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Keeping Concrete Safe In Winter Includes Knowing Its Limits
Keeping your concrete safe in winter is a matter of knowing its limits. Concrete is a strong material, but it can be damaged by cold weather and improper care. If your concrete is exposed to freezing temperatures and left to sit there, the water inside will turn into ice crystals that expand and cause cracks in the surface of the concrete. Freezing also decreases its strength by up to 20%.
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Use A Good Ice Melt.
Ice melting can damage concrete because it’s a chemical reaction between the ice and concrete. The water in the ice mixes with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete, causing a chemical reaction that breaks down bonds between molecules. This causes erosion, which is what damages the concrete. Keep this in mind when you buy ice melt in bulk.
Why Does Ice Melt Damage Concrete
Chemical ice melt consists of salts, which can cause the grout between the bricks in your driveway or sidewalk to break down. This means that over time, your driveway or sidewalk will crumble and fall apart.
What’s The Best Ice Melt For Concrete?
Non-chlorides don’t contain any chloride (i.e., chlorine) or magnesium. They contain other natural elements. They’re safer for pets and the environment to handle.
One such Ice melt is Safe Thaw. It is also safer for metal surfaces like concrete slabs and steel railings.
Don’t Use Sand Or Kitty Litter.
Don’t use sand or kitty litter to keep your concrete safe in the winter. Yes, both of these products can provide traction for your feet, but they also have a negative impact on the appearance of your concrete once they are removed in springtime.
Kitty litter is often made from clay and leaves a fine residue when you sweep it up once spring arrives. Sand may seem like an easy solution because it’s readily available at most hardware stores, but it will also leave behind a gritty film on your floor that requires more cleaning than regular sweeping would have required!
Use A Safe Traction Agent.
Fortunately, a few traction agents on the market can provide immediate traction without harming your concrete. Traction Magic by Gaia is a great choice because it uses eco-friendly natural ingredients with no harmful chemicals or additives. It’s safe for concrete and is 0% corrosive or messy unlike its alternatives—sand and kitty litter.
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Conclusion
We hope now you know— why does ice melt damage concrete.
Overall, the key to keeping your concrete safe in winter is taking measures to prevent damage. Concrete is a durable material, but it’s not invulnerable to environmental stresses. If you want your concrete to last for years and years of use, then you need to take care of it with proper maintenance.
Other Ice Melt Products
Safe Paw
The Original and the #1 Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Safe Thaw
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Ice and Snow Management You Can Trust.
