What To Use Instead Of Salt On Concrete
Concrete surfaces, whether it’s your driveway, walkway, or patio, often become treacherous in the icy, wintry months. It’s almost instinctive for us to reach out for a bag of salt to melt away the danger. However, while salt might be a popular de-icing agent, it’s far from being the best choice for concrete surfaces. Why? Let’s delve into the problems with salt and explore safer and more effective alternatives.
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The Downside of Using Salt on Concrete
It might come as a surprise to many, but salt, especially when used frequently, can wreak havoc on concrete. Here’s why:
- Corrosive Nature: Salt can be highly corrosive. This means it can accelerate the deterioration of metal reinforcements within concrete structures, leading to potential structural integrity issues.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycle: Salt lowers the freezing point of water. So when the salty slush refreezes, it can lead to an accelerated freeze-thaw cycle. This cycle can cause scaling, where the surface layer of the concrete flakes off, or even spalling, where larger chunks of concrete break off.
- Chemical Reaction: Salt can react with the concrete chemically, leading to discoloration and reduced longevity.
- Environmental Concerns: Runoff from salted concrete can find its way into water systems, harming aquatic life and affecting drinking water.
So, what to use instead of salt on concrete?
Considering these significant downsides, it becomes crucial to find alternatives to salt when dealing with ice on concrete surfaces.
Concrete Safe Salt Alternatives
If you’re looking to move away from salt but still want effective ice melt solutions, there are several concrete-safe options available.
- Sand: While it doesn’t melt ice, sand provides traction and is safe for concrete. It’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t contain chemicals that harm concrete surfaces.
- Coffee Grounds: An unconventional choice, but used coffee grounds offer traction and can melt ice due to their acidic nature. They also provide a brown tint that can absorb sunlight, helping to warm up surfaces.
- Sugar Beet Juice: While it sounds odd, this byproduct from sugar beets lowers the freezing point of water, and when mixed with traditional road salt, it’s less corrosive and harmful to concrete.
- Cheese Brine: Another unusual solution, cheese brine is a salty liquid that is a byproduct of cheese making. When sprayed over roads, it can prevent ice formation. However, its salt content is lower than traditional road salt, making it a little more concrete-friendly.
- Safe Thaw: If you’re looking for an industrial-grade, effective, and safe solution, Safe Thaw is a perfect choice. It’s a granular ice melt, devoid of harmful chemicals and toxins. Not only is it effective at melting ice, but it’s also gentle on concrete and the environment. Its specially formulated composition ensures that concrete remains unharmed, and there’s no harmful runoff threatening aquatic ecosystems.
A Word on Application
Whichever alternative you choose, it’s essential to apply it correctly. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re using a commercial product. When using household items like coffee grounds or sand, spread them evenly and moderately. Over-application can lead to messy situations and might not yield better results.
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Conclusion
Hope you have a better idea now about ‘what to use instead of salt on concrete? While the icy months can challenge the safety of our concrete surfaces, reaching for the salt bag might not be the best solution. With the evident downsides of salt, it’s time we looked at alternatives that are not only effective but also safe for our concrete and the environment. Whether it’s the simplicity of sand, the organic touch of coffee grounds, or the proven efficacy of Safe Thaw, there’s no shortage of options to ensure that our walkways remain slip-free without compromising their longevity or our planet’s health.
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe –It won’t harm animals or children, and it won’t damage your property. That’s Safe Paw. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
