Deicing New Concrete

Sealers for decorative concrete often fail in areas where deicing salts are applied or that receive drip off from parked cars.

Deicing new concrete.

Cma is a combination of dolomitic lime and acetic acid the principle component of vinegar. Use more of the mixture on the parts of the stairs that get the most foot traffic and less on the edges. When you spread rock salt on your concrete to melt snow and ice the salt dissolves the snow and makes a salt water mush. In fact concrete sealers of any type have been proven to increase the lifespan of salt treated concrete three to five times.

You can always use straight abrasives such as sand on any new concrete and minimize the likelihood of spalling no matter what the quality. If you want to have your new concrete last for years you are going to want to use products that are safe and that will not damage your new concrete you do not want to wait until the dreaded snowstorm has happened before you decide to go out and get your ice melter products. If your concrete has rebar or wire mesh in it the liquid brine solution can cause the metal to corrode rust metal expands when it rusts this could also cause the surface to pop or scale. If deicers must be used then it is important that the owner of the new or susceptible concrete understands the risks associated with freeze point depression deicers and freeze thaw cycles.

It does take concrete at least 30 days and sometimes up to a year to reach its full strength. Cma is considered no more corrosive than tap water and does not harm vegetation or ponds lakes and streams. Deicing salts have no direct effect on sealers. Cma was produced for new concrete less than 2 years old.

Cma will melt snow and ice effectively in temperatures down to 20 degrees fahrenheit 7c. Spread a thin layer of the magnesium chloride and sand mixture over the concrete stairs. First the good news. Just use some sand in the meantime and clean the concrete off regularly.

The results were published in april 2008 in the report sd2002 01 the deleterious effects of concentrated deicing solutions on portland cement concrete the study determined there is significant evidence magnesium and calcium chloride compounds chemically interact with cementitious paste resulting inexpansive cracking increased permeability and significant loss in strength. Considered the most environmentally friendly concrete deicer. But before i get to the de icers let me talk about a new kid on the block the ice that is simply not slippery eco ice grip. If the temperature then drops and the water freezes the growing ice crystals can blast apart the concrete.

The melting action of the salt allows water to enter the concrete.