How to Tell If Damage to My Concrete Is from an Ice Melter, the Seal, or Poor Concrete Quality

When winter ends and your driveway or walkway looks flaked, cracked, or pitted, it’s natural to ask: Was it the ice melt I used? But determining the true cause of concrete damage isn’t always straightforward. It could be due to ice melters, lack of proper sealing, or the quality of the concrete itself—and sometimes, it’s a combination of all three.

Let’s break down why pinpointing the source is so difficult and what’s actually happening beneath the surface. 

It is very difficult to determine whether concrete damage — such as scaling, flaking, or cracking — is caused by an ice melter, poor sealing, or the original quality of the concrete itself.