The answer is yes, salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don't just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete.
Since switching from chlorine to salt is becoming so popular right now, many people have wondered, “Can I put a salt system in my concrete pool?” The answer to this is yes, you can switch from chlorine to salt for your concrete pool.
The simple answer is yes. You can freely use water softener salt on concrete and driveways.
Remove snow and ice from your driveway and walkways. Pool salt effective at temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Most inexpensive snow removal product.
Sodium chloride (commonly known as rock salt or table salt) is the safest de-icer for use on concrete.
* Salt is a mild acid and lowers the pH in the concrete. The acidic reaction attacks the concrete paste and aggregate, weakening the structure and strength of the concrete. It also increases the pore size, allowing additional water and chemicals into the concrete, which can exacerbate freeze/thaw cycle damage.
The only way to stop this type of damage is with a water repellent sealer, such as a siliconate water repellent or a silane siloxane water repellent. Water repellent sealers such as these form a hydrophobic barrier that caused water and other liquids to bead off the surface.
The overall cost of salt for a saltwater pool will vary by the type of salt that you use and the size of your pool, but you can expect to pay on average between $10 and $25 per every 40 pounds of salt (or 25¢ to 63¢ per pound of salt). Some brands may even sell a 40-pound bag of pool salt for as much as $40.
Bottomline. Yes, you can use softener salt on your sidewalk. But there are good reasons to avoid doing so, outside of the occasional pinch. No, you shouldn't use sidewalk salt in your softener.
Oxidizer. Chlorine-free formula clears cloudy water.
Usage of Salt
Softener salt is specially made for water softening equipment used in swimming pools, while road salt is used for ice and snow removal.
In the United States, rock salt is the most common type we use, for everything from dining tables, to icy roads, to swimming pools. Rock salt is the purest type of pool salt you can buy, ranging from 95% to 99% sodium chloride.
And yes, the more salt you use, the faster the ice will melt. (Except for when it is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, as we have already mentioned). This is why pool salt can be very effective for melting ice, and it is far more environmentally friendly than using other products with chemical products in them!
The first winter, for new concrete, salt should never be used. Sand can be used to increase traction when needed. After the first winter, if you choose to take the risk to use de-icing salts or chemicals, you should apply a sealer to your concrete in the fall.
Salt works in temperatures above 12 degrees F and is an inexpensive option for the task. Pros of using salt: Salt will melt ice and reduce slipperiness on your driveway and sidewalks. Salt will also be an aid in helping you completely remove ice from those areas.
Some people will tell you it's OK to use softener salt outdoors, or even to use sidewalk salt in your water softener, but we don't recommend it.
Magnesium chloride is a great choice! While magnesium chloride is more expensive than sodium chloride and calcium chloride, it is less likely to damage your concrete or your lawn. This type of salt only works in temperatures down to 0° F, which is better than sodium chloride but not quite as good as calcium chloride.
(Just make sure to monitor your chlorine levels to keep them from getting too high.) Saltwater pools are cheaper to maintain in the short term: Annual costs to maintain a saltwater pool tend to be lower than annual costs to maintain a traditional chlorine pool.
This start-up investment may be recouped in a few years with less expensive day-to-day chemical needs. A saltwater pool requires less than $100 a year in salt and chemicals if it is consistently maintained. A chlorine pool, on the other hand, will cost between $300 and $800 per year in maintenance chemicals.
Rock salt (sodium chloride) is one of the most damaging substances that will ever contact your concrete driveway. It accelerates the deterioration caused by winter's freeze-thaw cycles and shortens the lifespan of your concrete pavements. The same is true of asphalt, though to a far lesser degree.
However, concrete can deteriorate if the salt is left in place for a long time. If you have exterior areas of concrete that have dimples or shallow cracks in them, the best solution is to apply concrete patch. The concrete repair will be structurally sound but may show a slight color difference.
Meanwhile, ancient Roman concrete is still standing strong after thousands of years, and not only does it resist damage, but the salt water actually makes it stronger.
Why Pool Salt is Important
Pool salt is important for several reasons: Using the right pool salt helps a salt chlorine generator work efficiently. Maintaining the right salt levels helps to maintain the right chlorine levels, and therefore a clean pool.