Will Salt Hurt a New Asphalt Driveway?

Design Considerations

• Poorly mixed or improperly laid asphalt may incur salt damage if sub-grade conditions, drainage needs and climate conditions are not taken into consideration when the asphalt is mixed and laid. The asphalt material should meet the design specifications of a professional organization such as the Asphalt Institute. Anti-stripping and compaction tests, regulated by materials specialists, and correct mixing procedures, performed by accredited installers, will ensure that your new driveway will stand up to the stresses placed upon it in the area where it was installed.

Project Specifications

• Asphalt that experiences brine infiltration may be the result of a mix that was not designed to resist cracking. Asphalt must be laid to a thickness appropriate for the intended use of the driveway. If heavy vehicles will be habitually parked on the driveway, asphalt thickness must be increased accordingly. Quality control and quality assurance testing procedures should be in place at asphalt manufacturing facilities, and test results should be communicated to end users of the asphalt products.

Adequate Drainage

• Base and sub-base layers beneath the new driveway should be permeable enough to quickly and effectively drain away any brine that may seep into the top layer of asphalt. For areas where drainage is a problem, base granular material should be altered to allow for quicker dissipation of water, salt and brine. A qualified construction design expert may be consulted to advise the homeowner what materials and methods should be used to affect the best possible outcome.

Asphalt Versus Concrete

• Dark-colored asphalt absorbs and holds the heat of the sun much more efficiently than light-colored concrete. Snow tends to melt more quickly on asphalt, and the water and salt tend to drain away. The asphalt may not be adversely affected by the salt, but adjacent plants and grass may suffer if too much salt is used. Employing a minimum amount of salt is therefore an environmentally conscious practice for homeowners of asphalt and concrete driveways alike.