"StixnStones" Blog

Does Rock Salt Harm Concrete?

Posted by Teresa Batterson on Thu, Nov 10, 2011 @ 11:11 AM

What effect does a common chemical deicer have on concrete surfaces? It is widely known that deicers containing ammonium nitrate and/or ammonium sulfate will chemically attack concrete. However, chemical deicers such as sodium chloride (rock salt), calcium chloride, urea, potassium chloride, and their combinations do not chemically attack concrete.

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Tags: Deicers, Rock Salt, Urea, Seasonal Building Supplies, Winter Deicing Agent, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride

How to Choose a Winter Deicing Agent

Posted by Teresa Batterson on Mon, Sep 19, 2011 @ 14:09 PM

When choosing a deicer, there are a number of things to consider, including cost, long term effects, and effectiveness. It’s important to know what your deicing agent is composed of, and to keep in mind that the cheapest isn’t always the most effective. What you choose will vary depending on what type of area you are applying your agent to, the predicted drop in temperature, and maybe your own personal preference.

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Tags: Deicers, Sodium Acetate, CMA, Rock Salt, Urea, Winter Deicing Agent, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride