Does Calcium Chloride Ice Melt Damage Concrete

In fact ice removal is sometimes required for rentals or public properties.

Does calcium chloride ice melt damage concrete. This is a hygroscopic compound. It works by preventing snow particles from sticking to each other on the concrete surface. It s much easier to replace a driveway than a hip bone. Calcium chloride and magnesium same family as calcium work against the calcium in concrete sidewalks and parking structures through a process called lon exchange1 where calcium from ice melt exchanges places with calcium in concrete.

This exchange is irreversible and severely weakens and destroys structural integrity and longevity 4. By using a potassium chloride product you extend the time available for more melted ice water to drain off your concrete or evaporate resulting in less water being absorbed by the concrete. There has been concern that de icers can damage the concrete due to the chemicals that melt the ice. Ice melt can make your winter safer and more manageable.

However it becomes less effective as temperatures dip to less than 20 degrees fahrenheit. It is less harmful to concrete and vegetation. For example ice melter containing calcium chloride tends to re freeze more quickly compared to ice melter containing potassium chloride. Most de icers for concrete are chloride combinations usually sodium rock salt or magnesium.

So it absorbs water and then generates heat as it dissolves up to 140 f. The use of deicers to help speed up snow removal and prevent ice more than makes up for the slight damage it may cause to concrete.