Problems With Rock Salt Finishing Concrete

Salt

• Rock salt usually comes in contact with concrete in large amounts during the winter, when it is used as a de-icing agent. The salt raises the melting point for snow and ice, making them easier to clean up and remove. The salt-infused slush clings to the bottom of your car as you drive through the streets. At the end of the day, when you park on the concrete driveway of your home, salt drips down onto the driveway from the underside of your car.

Problems

• When rock salt comes in contact with concrete, it causes damage called spalling. Spalling is characterized by flaking and pitting on the surface of the concrete. Your driveway ends up looking chipped and pockmarked. Dirt collects in the divots, causing the concrete to look dirty and making the whole thing more difficult to clean. Each winter when the rock salt touches the concrete, the spalling gets worse.

Fixes

• You can prevent rock salt from damaging concrete around your home by covering surfaces like your driveway with a sealing finish. Start by coating your driveway in patching compound. A thin layer spread across the whole the surface will fill holes and maintain a uniform color along the entire length of the driveway. After the patching material dries, cover the driveway in sealant. It provides a finishing coat that keeps rock salt from causing more problems.

Considerations

• If you use rock salt on your concrete driveways and walkways, the spalling will be worse. Concrete seals and finishes do not last forever. After a few years, you might need to reapply the patching and sealant when damage starts to reappear. If you do not want to worry about repairing the damage, replace your concrete driveway with asphalt. It stands up to rock salt and will not spall after repeated exposure to it.