The Effects of Ice Melt on Concrete

Magnesium chloride

• Magnesium chloride is a salt-based product. It works by attracting water, causing the water volume to increase. This increase in volume makes it harder for ice to form. Magnesium chloride is also exothermic, meaning it releasing heat during the melting process. Magnesium chloride will melt snow and ice until temperatures reach -14 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the professions at Newsom Seed, a home improvement company, Magnesium Chloride protects concrete from spalling and is one of the environmentally safest ice melt products on the market.

Sodium chloride (Rock salt)

• Sodium chloride is simply salt. Rock salt works by lowering the freezing point of water. The freezing point of water is usually 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the concentration of salt in water, the freezing point of salt water could go as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Rock salt does not damage concrete; however, it can have a negative effect on your surrounding lawn. Try to restrict the application of sodium chloride to just your concrete.

Calcium chloride

• According to Newsom Seed, rock salt is the most common ice melt product used in America; however, more people are beginning to use calcium chloride because it is thought be to healthier for the environment. Calcium chloride is a salt made out of calcium and chlorine. Just like sodium chloride, calcium chloride lowers the freezing point of water. The freezing point of calcium chloride solutions can reach temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit. Calcium chloride is thought to be more environmentally safe because it exothermic and it is relatively harmless to plants and soil. The major cons of calcium chloride is that is can attack and break down concrete after continuous use.

Potassium chloride

• Out of the four salt-based ice melt products mentioned, potassium chloride is considered the most environmental friendly. Far from being considered harmful to plants and soils, potassium chloride is used in many fertilizers. Potassium chloride works as a deicer by creating exothermic chemical reactions. These reactions give off heat, thus helping to prevent to ice formation. Potassium chloride does not harm concrete; however, it is not effective in temperatures lower than approximately 15 degrees Fahrenheit.