# The Effects of Salt On Concrete **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous Topics\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221 "2020-02-11T23:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mgratton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgratton/32/58251_2.png) [@mgratton](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgratton)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/22 "2020-02-12T03:15:32Z")
> [@jkotorac1](#): > > The pitting in the concrete surface was caused by using salt in the winter. Salt (NaCl) is not to be used on concrete, but rather calcium chloride (CaCl) should be used. This problem was complicated by use just several months after the concrete had been poured. I suspect that the concrete was not air-entrained. City sidewalks are salted all the time and don’t pit. [https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/materials/how-to-use-air-entrained-concrete-and-why-you-should-use-it\_o](https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/materials/how-to-use-air-entrained-concrete-and-why-you-should-use-it_o) ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/23 "2020-02-12T12:18:58Z")
> [@mgratton](#): > > I suspect that the concrete was not air-entrained. City sidewalks are salted all the time and don’t pit. That is correct, but unfortunately the air entrainment required for additional protection for winter concrete, you have to request it from the supplier. For sidewalks, you need to have at least 5-7% air and a 6.5 or 7 bag mix if you want something that will last. Other than that, you will get a 5 bag mix for residential with the natural air entrainment that you get in the mixer which is approx. 2-4%. So in other words, there is a design mix required for sidewalks and exterior pavements and roadways. The air entrainment and the hardness of the concrete all work together to defend against freeze thaw cycles. The air bubbles the air makes is where the freezing water expands in without spalling the concrete surface. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/24 "2020-02-12T13:46:00Z")
> [@kshepard](#): > > Good one Marcel! The concrete master! ---
**Author:** ![lmorrison](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lmorrison/32/58376_2.png) [@lmorrison](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lmorrison)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/25 "2020-02-13T14:25:03Z")
Looks like an amature concrete job. notice the edge trowel maks, lack of expansion joints. And I would agree that most likely rocksalt was used for texture or “dramatic effect” ---
**Author:** ![tvalosin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tvalosin/32/59978_2.png) [@tvalosin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tvalosin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/26 "2020-02-13T15:37:18Z")
Hi James, Welcome aboard! Where are you located in our wonderful State of New York? Tom, Middleburgh, Schoharie County ---
**Author:** ![jkotorac1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jkotorac1/32/184766_2.png) [@jkotorac1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jkotorac1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/27 "2020-02-13T16:32:22Z")
I’m down in Rockland by Nyack ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221/28 "2020-02-13T19:39:10Z")
> [@jkotorac1](#): > > Nyack It took me a minute but I got it. Nice place to be **from**. 😄 [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/the-effects-of-salt-on-concrete/161221.md?page=1)