Throughout the winter, you’ll find rock salt on a variety of paved surfaces. Though the salt effectively melts ice, it may also damage the surfaces. Luckily, there are alternative methods to avoid these issues on your driveway. Here’s a guide to how rock salt interacts with driveway construction materials. 

How Salt Damages Concrete

Concrete is a porous material. After rock salt is applied, snow or ice melts into water and can start seeping into the surface. However, if the temperature drops even further, it can then freeze again. As the water expands as it freezes, it can cause the concrete to break apart underground. 

Eventually, this may cause spalling, creating small pits or imperfections. Once these openings appear, even more water will penetrate the concrete, allowing freeze-thaw cycles to get even deeper underground and do more damage. If the foundational layers get damaged, deep cracks or uneven surfaces may develop. 

How Salt Damages Asphalt

When properly maintained, asphalt shouldn't sustain significant damage from rock salt. The pavement must be sealcoated about once every three years to prevent water from seeping in. However, if the driveway lacks a protective coating or has cracks or potholes, that leaves an opening for snowmelt to get underground. The same freeze-thaw cycles that cause problems with concrete then affect asphalt as well. 

Alternatives

Traditional rock salt is made with sodium chloride, which changes the melting point of ice to about 25 degrees instead of 32 degrees. However, there are also ice melters made of calcium chloride. These are preferred because they change the melting point to -25 degrees, making it significantly less likely for that water to freeze again once it has seeped into the pavement. 

Additionally, quickly clearing your driveway with a plastic shovel after the snow has fallen decreases the chance of ice problems. Some homeowners also install driveway heating systems that melt ice without any chemicals. 

No matter what driveway construction materials you have, if you need to repair, maintain, or replace the structure because of rock salt damage, contact GMG General in Anchorage, AK. The paving contractor has served residents and businesses throughout the area since 1989, and they have the equipment and expertise to work with both asphalt and concrete. Visit the website or call (907) 349-7854 to request driveway construction or other services.