When the snow is falling fast, your first thought might be to grab some rock salt and sprinkle it over your driveway and sidewalks. While salt does melt snow quickly, it may cause long-lasting damage to your driveway. Learn more about why concrete contractors recommend sand and other aggregates instead. 

What Happens When You Salt Your Driveway?

Applying salt to a concrete driveway allows the crystals to penetrate the material’s pores and attract additional water. When driveways absorb more moisture and the weather gets colder, freezing temperatures cause the water to expand, breaking the concrete.

Salt can be just as damaging for asphalt and the metal infrastructure that supports it. Often, deicers contain acetate or formate, which can break down the binder that holds asphalt together.

The environmental impacts of salt should also be noted. In addition to raising soil alkalinity and disrupting plant growth, spreading salt can also introduce higher amounts of chloride to local water supplies. For instance, one study conducted by researchers in Minnesota found that 70% of road salt applied in the Twin Cities area stayed within the region’s watershed.

What Can You Use Instead? 

Fortunately, you can use simple aggregates such as sand or gravel to increase traction between your car tires or shoes and the surface, making it easier to walk or drive. When you spread sand and gravel, focus on driving or walking areas, and keep the aggregates away from lawns and flowerbeds, where they could disrupt plant growth in the spring. 

If getting rid of the snow is your goal, use physical removal methods like shoveling or snowplowing, which won’t damage your driveway. 

Whether you’re concerned about the integrity of your driveway or you need urgent repairs, the concrete contractors at GMG General, Inc. in Anchorage, AK, are here to help. With more than 30 years of experience, this team helps with everything from parking lot resurfacing and road patching to asphalt excavation and concrete demolition. Request an estimate online or by giving their concrete contractors a call at (907) 349-7854.