Best Type Of Salts For Your Driveway And Sidewalks
To change the chemistry of water in the winters, people usually use salts like sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride and etc. Common fact known by all is that water freezes at 32℉. However, using salts decreases its melting point to even lower degrees and this is useful to avoid frozen driveway and sidewalks.
So, let us take a look at the best type of salts for your driveway and sidewalks.
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride or common salt is readily available in almost every household. It can lower the melting point of water to -20℉. There are several disadvantages of using it as a salt. Although it does not damage the concrete itself but pushes water into the cracks of concrete and it freezes there. Hence expanding the cracks in the concrete thus making it weak. Another disadvantage is that if it melts down and reaches the soil the roots of the plant will absorb it and due to its toxic nature it will eventually kill them.
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride is another salt used to clear ice from frozen driveways, it is considered a very healthy alternative to sodium and calcium chloride as it shows minimal damage to the lawn and concrete, thus maintaining their sustainability for longer periods. This salt only works at temperatures below -5°F.
Even though being the healthier alternative to the other salts they are not widely used as magnesium chloride is very expensive as compared to the other salts. That's why most people use it for their small driveways and sidewalks.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is a bit more expensive than sodium chloride but its effect on the concrete is not as harsh as sodium chloride. It can bring down the melting point of water to -13 ℉ and it works faster than sodium chloride.
But its effect on plant is not very friendly, if you overuse it and it melts with water and reaches the soil. It slowly kills the plants as it attracts all the water towards itself and deprives them of water.
Potassium Chloride
It is an option less used by people as it does not readily melt the ice and can work at temperatures like 20℉. It's only benefit is that it does not harm the vegetation.
Best Choice
Magnesium chloride, although a bit more costly than the others, is considered the best choice by far. This is because this salt is gentle on your concrete driveway and garden.
Final words
If you still have questions about the best type of salts for your driveway or sidewalk, look no further than Golden Wolf Landscape & Design LLC. Our professionally trained staff knows everything about the type of salt that would be perfect for you. So, you can safely leave it to us!
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