You see salt boxes on many street corners in snowy weather, but using chemicals on concrete is actually damaging to asphalt and concrete. Protect your storefront or businesses curb appeal by not using the following De-Icing Chemicals to melt snow or ice in the winter.
- Sodium chloride or rock salt (NaCL)
- NaCL with MgCl2 and OBPE
- NaCL with Magic-O – a proprietaryblend of OBPE and 30% MgCl2
Why not? Using these types of de-icing chemicals (among others not listed) can cause cracking in your pavement and chemically alter the aggregate that you paid for to put in. “No de-icing chemicals are safe,” explains Patrick Gillen III, owner of PTG Enterprises.
Highways across the United States contain about fifteen million tons of road salt each winter. While this provides traction on the road for our cars and pathways to walk, it puts more strain on economic factors. Even road salt that seems innocuous can be destructive to plant life underneath. Forget bringing your pets around the block to do their duty. Chemicals on the ground can hurt animals as well. Think again about accepting your dog’s warm, wet puppy kisses after a walk if he licked anything. You could get sick from ingesting these chemicals as well.
We agree that de-icing is necessary in some areas, so business can continue as usual. There are alternatives to melting snow besides chemicals. For example, Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), sand, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium chloride, and beet solution are eco-friendly ways to reduce the amount of ice on the concrete.
Using sand or the other materials mentioned above is more cost-effective and safer for the environment. You will still be able to clear the lot for driving customers and make it safer for all living beings involved. To find out how else you can protect your pavement this winter season, contact PTG Enterprises.
PTG Enterprises is a commercial concrete contractor in the Baltimore area. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come. Give us a call and let us help protect your pavement from Mother Nature.
If you have any questions about de-icing chemicals, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: asphalt, Concrete, De-Icing Chemicals
