As a business owner or property manager you have a responsibility to ensure your property is safe for your customers. In the winter time, this means clearing walkways of both snow and ice. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to use de-icing chemicals.Common De-Icing Chemicals

• Sodium chloride or rock salt (NaCL)
• Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
• Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) andorganic-based performance enhancer (OBPE)
• NaCL with MgCl2 and OBPE
• NaCL with Magic-O – a proprietaryblend of OBPE and 30% MgCl2
• Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and OBPE
• NaCL until 15° F degrees, then NaCL with CaCl2 until 5° F degrees, thenNaCL with sand

Unfortunately, using de-icing chemicals on concrete pavement is a no-no. Why? Well, let’s hear what the professionals have to say.

1. According to a 2002 federal government funded study, “The Deleterious Effects of Concentrated Deicing Solutions on Portland Cement Concrete,” there is significant evidence that certain de-icing chemicals chemically interact with both cement and aggregate. The results of this reaction include cracking, strength loss, and eventually premature failure.
2. According to the study “Effects of Deicers on Concrete Deterioration,” by David Darwin, JoAnn Browning, Lein Gong, and Sean Hughes, applying significant quantities of CaCl2, MgCl2, and CMA over the pavement’s life will negatively impact the concrete’s long-term durability.
3. According to a study by H. Lee, R. D. Cody, A. M. Cody, and P. G. Spry entitled, “Effects of Various Deicing Chemicals on Pavement Concrete Deterioration,” sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) with 5 different Ca/Mg ratios, Ca-acetate, and Mg-acetate each “produced characteristic effects on the concrete samples by physically and chemically altering the dolomite coarse aggregate, the dolomite coarse aggregate-paste interface, and the cement paste.”

So do yourself and your concrete a favor and put the de-icing chemicals away. However, if you do decide to still use de-icing chemicals, heed the warning of Patrick T. Gillen III, the owner of the Baltimore, Maryland-based asphalt and concrete paving company PTG Enterprises.

“De-icing chemicals should definitely not be placed on concrete within the first year. This is when the concrete is most vulnerable.”

If you have any further questions about De-Icing Chemicals & Concrete, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!