How to Reduce Salt Damage to Concrete

Ice on concrete decks, stairs and sidewalks can cause slipping hazards all winter long. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the most common and inexpensive deicing product on the market. However, the salt can do considerable damage to unsealed concrete. When mixed with melted ice, it seeps deep into the pores, cracks and crevices in concrete. When it freezes again, it expands to nine times its original size and breaks up the concrete. To reduce damage and save your concrete, you must take immediate action.

Shovel
Sand
Deicing salt
Concrete sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Shovel up any salt-melted ice or sludge currently on the concrete. Dump it in a trashcan. Deicing salt can damage plants.
- 2
  Spread sand over the icy portions of the concrete for the rest of the winter season. Sand will not melt the ice, but it will provide traction and prevent further damage to the concrete. If you must use deicing salt, switch to magnesium chloride salt. Magnesium chloride salt is available at most home improvement centers, along with the other types of deicing salt. It is more expensive than sodium chloride, but it only causes a fraction of the damage. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for application rates and amounts.
- 3
  Shovel up any ice slurry as soon as the magnesium chloride salt melts the existing ice. Dump it in the trash, in the street or on your lawn. Magnesium chloride does minimal damage to plants.
- 4
  Seal the concrete in the spring once all threat of freezing weather has passed. Commercial concrete sealants are available at most home improvement centers and go on like paint. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates and methods. Sealing closes up the pores and cracks in your concrete. Once it's sealed, your concrete will no longer be susceptible to damage by deicing salts.

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