Can You Use Rock Salt On Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete salt damage.

Can you use rock salt on stamped concrete.

However there is no such thing as safe for concrete de icing salts or chemicals. But what was the cause. This post will answer these and other questions so that you can make rock salt safe for concrete within your property lines. Best deicing salt for concrete.

Read more stamped finish. What is stamped concrete. Considered a step above smooth or broom finished concrete a salt finish leaves a speckled pattern of shallow indentations on the concrete surface similar to the appearance of slightly pitted weathered rock. The first winter for new concrete salt should never be used.

Deicing salts can be extremely damaging to concrete causing it to spall pit and crack even after one winter season. The salt finish concrete surface is obtained by inserting coarse rock salt crystals using rollers on the freshly placed concrete surface and washing it off with streams of water after the concrete is set. Posted november 3 2016 by mike templin. Concrete is somewhat porous and can be prone to small fissures.

Features methods and procedures of stamping concrete. When rock salt is applied to concrete any existing snow or ice will melt. When it comes down it can come down hard and before you know it your driveway sidewalk and patio is covered in feet of the white stuff. With the growing popularity of stamped concrete however the use of this finish has been waning and many homeowners aren t even aware.

By aman ontario q. People began to question whether or not rock salt is safe for concrete when they started linking spalling with the use of the de icer. While well cared for stamped concrete surfaces can be very attractive poorly or wrongly maintained stamped concrete can be one of the most hideous and repulsive things in the world of home ownership. It can be caused by using rock salt sodium chloride to melt ice on your drive or can be transferred to your concrete from cars that have been on public roads.

Someone cleaning the sidewalk from the city threw salt on my stamped concrete. Sand can be used to increase traction when needed. Road crews typically and economically treat our roads and highways with rock salt which is also highly corrosive to concrete. If you have just installed new concrete or if you have an existing concrete slab you are going to want to be diligent about choosing the best deicing salt for your concrete.

In other instances the concrete would become corroded or discolored. The most common mistake most people make is using salt based ice melt to remove the ice. Snow is a hassle. It was determined that the use of rock salt on concrete was the culprit.

Winter a salt why to not use rock salt on concrete this winter. Want to know if there is any type of epoxy to repair this damage. After the first winter if you choose to take the risk to use de icing salts or chemicals you should apply a sealer to your concrete in the fall.