How to Put a Salt Finish on Concrete

Salt finish on concrete is a traditional method of concrete decoration. The salt leaves indentations in the concrete to create a nonslip surface. The pitted concrete can be a problem for people who live in freezing areas of the country, since water in the pits can deteriorate the surface when it expands as it freezes. Salt finish can be added to colored or plain concrete and can be used in addition to other finishes, such as stains or tints.

Fresh-poured concrete with smooth finish
Coarse or extra-coarse rock salt
Salt roller
Hand float
Stiff broom
Low-pressure power washer (optional)
Garden hose with jet stream nozzle

Instructions

- 1
  Monitor the concrete as it dries for the correct time to apply the salt finish on the concrete. Press the concrete with your finger. When the concrete leaves no residue on your finger, it is ready for the salt finish.
- 2
  Broadcast coarse or extra-coarse rock salt evenly over the entire surface of the concrete. Throw small handfuls of salt onto the concrete.
- 3
  Place a salt roller in position at one end of the poured concrete. Move the salt roller over the concrete and press the salt into the concrete approximately one-half the diameter of the salt pieces.
- 4
  Continue rolling the salt roller over the concrete until the salt has been pressed into the entire surface.
- 5
  Use a hand float to press rock salt into edges of the concrete that are inaccessible with the roller.
- 6
  Leave the salt in place until the surface of the concrete has hardened approximately 24 hours.
- 7
  Use a stiff-bristle broom to sweep the salt crystals off the concrete surface. Remove any remaining salt with a low-pressure power washer or a garden hose with a jet stream nozzle.

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