Blog Archives
Snow & Ice Care of Masonry
By Environmental Enhancements, Inc., Pat Falvey
Many of us have received early snowfall this season. We need to have a chat about the use of salt and ice melting material. Our company, Environmental Enhancements installs many masonry and hardscape projects every year. A small percentage of them start to deteriorate prematurely due to the use or misuse of salt and other ice melting materials. If you have any brick, stone, or concrete work that has been installed in the last 12 months –listen up. Please do not use salt, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, or urea (fertilizer) on these surfaces. Magnesium chloride is the only material recommended to melt ice and snow on these surfaces. However, I would ask that you avoid this material also. Magnesium chloride melts snow and ice at a slower rate. Many times people do not see the desired results (melting) fast enough and keep re-applying material at such excessive rates that damage occurs. The issue at hand is damage to concrete, cement, mortar, and grout joints before this material has had sufficient time to cure. All of the ice melting materials are extremely corrosive, however it is the chemical reaction that causes the material to heat up and melt that does the real damage. The expansion and contraction that occurs when melting material is applied to surfaces that are 32 degrees or colder causes ‘green’ or uncured concrete or cement products to spall (flake), chip and contract (crack).
Maybe you have seen or experienced a new concrete sidewalk or driveway that appears to be ‘pitted’ or flaking up in the spring. Or possibly you have a new brick or flagstone patio or walkway where the mortar joints between the bricks or stones seem to be ‘pulling away’ from the brick or stone and are cracked and breaking apart. This damage almost always occurs when ice melting material is applied to these surfaces before they have had at least 12 months to cure. Our warranty explains this in depth so as to avoid ‘gray’ areas with our customers in regards to warranty issues. Please read your contractors warranty thoroughly. If this information is not worded in your contract, please inquire about this with your contractor.
The only safe way to address snow and ice on newly installed masonry surfaces is to shovel with a hard, plastic shovel and apply sand. The use of cat litter is an option, but creates a real mess. Sorry folks, sometimes, we have to revert back to the old-fashioned way of doing things. Next year you can use those ice melting materials, but please use them sparingly. Not only is this the best thing to do for your investment, it’s the best thing for the environment. Please contact us when considering any masonry and hardscape projects.
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