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After more than 30 hours researching over 60 concrete sealers, and testing and evaluating seven of them, here are our picks for the best concrete sealers of 2026. For most people, the best choice is the Siloxa-Tek 8500. It’s a 40% actives silane/siloxane blend, the concentration many state DOT specifications call for on roads and bridges, so its active ingredients aren’t watered down. It leaves a natural finish with no added sheen, and it won’t fade or peel because it doesn’t sit on the surface.
Our Picks at a Glance
- Best overall: Siloxa-Tek 8500, a 40% silane/siloxane penetrating sealer, sold ready-to-use or as a concentrate.
- Best value: Okon S-40, also 40% silane/siloxane at a lower price, but not available as a concentrate.
- Best for oil and stain resistance: Siloxa-Tek 8505 (water-based) or 8510 (solvent-based). See our best oil-repellent concrete sealers.
Why You Should Trust Us
This guide was written by Mark Dominic, who has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years. For this guide we also talked with contractors about what they look for when sealing concrete. We used the American Concrete Institute for terminology and industry background, and trade publications such as Concrete Decor, Concrete Construction and For Construction Pros to see which products contractors actually use. To judge long-term durability, we also read hundreds of customer reviews on Home Depot, Lowe’s and Amazon.
Penetrating Sealers vs. Decorative and Durable Coatings
If you’re buying a concrete sealer for the first time, or you’re due to reapply, it helps to know the three main categories.
Penetrating sealers soak into the concrete and form a chemical barrier against water, moisture and deicing salts. They usually leave a natural finish, and most are breathable, so vapor can escape. They’re the best choice outdoors when you want protection from salt, freeze-thaw cycles and water without changing how the concrete looks or feels. Expect five or more years between applications.
Decorative coatings are usually acrylics, in water- or solvent-based formulas. They leave a satin or gloss finish and are great for enhancing color or getting a “wet look.” The trade-off is wear: on surfaces exposed to deicing salts they often need to be reapplied every year, so they cost more over time.
Durable coatings, such as epoxies and urethanes, build a hard film on the surface that resists abrasion and chemicals. Most leave a gloss finish and come in a range of colors. Many can yellow in UV light, so they’re mainly used indoors.
How We Picked and Tested
We focused on penetrating sealers because of their longevity, versatility and natural appearance. A natural finish also lines up with where the industry is heading: Concrete Decor has reported that low-gloss and natural finishes are gaining ground as homeowners and designers move away from high-gloss coatings.
Our criteria:
- At least 20% silane/siloxane actives. That ruled out products too watered down to last.
- Real water repellency. We left out silicate densifiers. They harden concrete but don’t repel water or stains, and homeowners often regret buying them for that reason.
- Proven longevity and strong customer reviews.
- Easy to buy online and ship to a home or business, without hunting down a distributor.
- Oil and stain repellency counted as a bonus, not a requirement.
From over 60 products, we tested seven. We applied each one and checked for a clear, natural finish. We tested abrasion, salt exposure and water absorption, compared how easy each was to apply, and checked for mold, mildew and efflorescence.
Best Overall: Siloxa-Tek 8500
Of the sealers we tried, the Siloxa-Tek 8500 was the easiest to use and needed the least maintenance. You don’t need a professional to apply it. It uses isooctyltriethoxysilane, a stable, less volatile silane, blended with siloxane, which supports a longer service life. In our water absorption test the concrete absorbed no water at all; we could push the beaded water across the surface and it still didn’t soak in.
It also comes as a ready-to-use gallon or as a concentrate, where one gallon makes five gallons of sealer. None of the other sealers we tested offered a concentrate, which saves money on shipping if you don’t mind mixing it yourself.
Flaws but not deal breakers
The 8500 doesn’t repel oil and grease; we noticed this when we applied it to a garage floor. If you need stain protection, look at the Siloxa-Tek 8505 (water-based) or 8510 (solvent-based) instead. The 8500 also costs more up front than some sealers we tested, though its durability makes up for it over time.
Long-term test notes
After 15 months outdoors, through two winters of freeze-thaw cycles, our driveway test areas showed no visible cracking, spalling or deicing salt damage. We haven’t tested it for the full five to ten years the manufacturer claims, so we’ll keep checking and update this review if problems show up.
Where to buy
The 8500 is sold at Home Depot (ready-to-use) and Lowe’s (ready-to-use and concentrate), on Amazon, and direct from the manufacturer.
Runner-Up: Okon S-40
If you want something less expensive, the Rust-Oleum Okon S-40 is a strong alternative. It’s also a 40% silane/siloxane penetrating sealer, but it isn’t sold as a concentrate. One Home Depot reviewer summed up its appeal: on an active-ingredient basis it’s one of the best deals available, while many competing products contain only 5–20% actives. That’s good advice for any sealer. Check the spec sheet for the actives percentage so you aren’t paying mostly for water.
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The best concrete driveway sealer depends on your climate and the look you want. In cold climates, a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer protects against deicing salts and freeze-thaw damage without changing the surface. In warmer climates, an acrylic sealer can add gloss and enhance color. Below are our picks by category, followed by a guide to choosing, applying and buying a driveway sealer.
Our Top Concrete Driveway Sealer Picks
The best all-around: Siloxa-Tek 8500
Pros: 40% water-based silane/siloxane. Available in a single gallon ready to use or a one gallon concentrate that makes five gallons. Able to protect concrete from water, cracking, deicing salts and freeze-thaw cycles.
Buy Now: Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot, Concrete Sealer Supply
The most economical: Concrete Driveway Sealer
Pros: Very cost effective and will do a good job sealing for a season.
Buy Now: Amazon
Best for stopping oil-based stains and automotive fluids: Siloxa-Tek 8510
Pros: Long lasting, 95% actives concrete driveway sealer that will repel staining from oils and greases.
Buy Now: Concrete Sealer Supply
The contractor’s favorite: Saltguard WB
Pros: Although it only has a 4.2% actives content it is mostly used in the commercial marketplace. Prosoco is a trusted manufacturer and brand.
Buy Now: JonDon
Best high gloss decorative concrete sealer: Diamond Clear
Pros: Can be used on freshly poured concrete and will give a concrete driveway a high gloss wet look finish.
Buy Now: EMI Supply
Types of Concrete Driveway Sealers
When it comes to choosing a type of concrete driveway sealer you can first break them down into three categories:
- Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers: These natural finish concrete sealers that do just as their name states; they penetrate into the concrete without leaving a surface film. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are best used in northern climates and environments since they are able to protect concrete driveways from harsh freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salt damage including spalling, pitting and cracking. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are usually silane and siloxane based products.
- Decorative Concrete Driveway Sealers: These high-gloss, wet look or satin finish concrete sealers also do just as their name states; they add a decorative finish to any concrete, brick, paver or masonry substrate. Although they look fantastic when first applied, their appearance will fade over time and regular resealing maintenance will need to be maintained. Decorative concrete driveway sealers are usually of a solvent-based or water-based acrylic chemistry.
- Concrete Driveway Coatings: Concrete driveway coatings are decorative and durable at the same time. They are able to withstand harsh winter climates while providing a decorative look. They are also able to withstand staining from leaves, oils, greases and hot tire pick up. The only downside is that they tend to be very expensive based on their multi-functioning ability. Durable concrete driveway coatings are usually urethane based products.
Why We Recommend Silane/Siloxane Based Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealers
We recommend silane/siloxane based penetrating concrete driveway sealers for most concrete driveways since they provide the most bang for your buck. Silanes and siloxanes are the active ingredients in the formulations. What makes some silanes and siloxanes better than others is the actives concentration. For example a 5% silane/siloxane solution is going to be 5% active silane/siloxane ingredients and 95% water or solvent. Whereas a 40% silane/siloxane is going to be 40% active silane/siloxane ingredients and 60% water or solvent. Water or solvent, commonly referred to as the carrier is used to drive the active ingredients into the concrete. Once the water or solvent evaporates what remains is the active silane/siloxane ingredients. Since solvents can take the active ingredients deeper into the concrete than water, solvent-based concrete sealers typically perform better. However, depending on the type of solvent used they can also have more of an odor (higher VOC’s) and contain more harmful ingredients. The Department of Transportation mandates that all of the products used on their approved products list (and subsequently the roadways) be a minimum of 40% actives. Although this may seem like overkill when it comes to treating your residential driveway, driveways are actually most at risk. Even if you do not use deicing salts on your driveway, your vehicle will track them in from the roadways. The deicing salts will then melt off your vehicle and onto the driveway where they will wreak havoc on the concrete if left untreated. Because of the chemistry behind silanes and siloxanes they are the most effective treatment to protect concrete from spalling, pitting and cracking.
While we prefer silanes and siloxanes that are 40% actives concentration or above, we also understand that these products tend to be more expensive. When you are comparing concrete driveway sealers make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some of the products on the list above have more than a 95% actives concentration; whereas some of the other products have below a 5% actives concentration. Actives concentrations also directly correlate with longevity. The higher the actives concentration the longer the product will last.
What is the difference between silanes and siloxanes?
- Silanes: Silanes are the smaller molecule of the two while also being alkali-resistant and highly volatile (a high concentration of material is required). In layman’s terms this allows them to migrate deep into the substrate but a higher actives concentration is most effective.
- Siloxanes: Similar to a silane molecule yet a little larger, siloxanes cannot penetrate as deep as silanes due to their complexity and shape. They are less volatile (so you can use a lower concentration) and they are also alkali resistant. Since they do not penetrate as deep as silanes they are typically used in blended formulations or on their own on more porous mineral substrates such as brick and stone.
How to Apply a Concrete Driveway Sealer
Application of concrete driveway sealers will depend on what type of concrete sealer you decide to use.
- Penetrating concrete driveway sealers: Before sealing you want to make sure the concrete is dry, clean and free of any previous sealers or curing compounds. Penetrating concrete driveway sealers are usually universally applied with a pump sprayer, paint roller or brush. Since they are natural finish, non-film forming products it is hard to make a mistake during application. You just want to make sure that you are not over-applying them. A lot of times two coats are recommended with the coats being applied wet-on-wet. What this means is that you will apply a second coat immediately after the first coat. This help to ensure that you are getting enough concrete sealer material onto the substrate.
- Decorative concrete driveway sealers: Before sealing you want to make sure the concrete is dry and clean. If a previous decorative concrete driveway sealer was used you want to make sure when it comes time to reseal the new product you are using is of the same chemistry. What this means is if a solvent-based acrylic was previously used you want to reseal using a solvent-based acrylic sealer. This will prevent you from having to strip off the previous sealer. If you are thinking of switching the type of concrete driveway sealer from a decorative concrete driveway sealer to a penetrating concrete sealer you want to make sure the previous concrete sealer has completely worn away or you will need to remove it. In order to apply a decorative concrete driveway sealer a high quality 3/8″ nap paint roller is usually best practice. One coat is usually recommended.
- Concrete driveway coatings: Like decorative concrete driveway sealers you want to make sure the concrete is dry, clean and free of previous sealers or coatings. And if a previous concrete driveway sealer was used you want to make sure the new coating you are using is compatible and of a similar chemistry. In order to apply a concrete driveway coating, a high quality, 3/8″ nap paint roller is also best practice. One or two coats are recommended depending on the manufacturer.
What to look for when buying a concrete driveway sealer
When it comes to choosing a concrete driveway sealer it is best to first take into account your location. Do you live in a warmer climate or a colder climate. If you live in a colder climate a penetrating concrete driveway sealer is going to be your best option. You can use a decorative concrete driveway sealer but just keep in mind it will need to be reapplied more often since road salts and chlorides will eat away at the concrete sealer after a season. If you live in a warmer climate you can then narrow down the appropriate sealer based on the type of finish (sheen) you prefer – flat, satin, high gloss or wet look. Once you have determined your location you can then take into account longevity. Are you willing to make a larger up front investment and not have to seal as frequently, or would you rather buy an inexpensive product and reseal every season. And then you can take the finish (sheen) into consideration. Do you really like how your stamped concrete driveway looks when it is wet? If you live in a warmer climate a decorative concrete driveway sealer will do the job; whereas if you live in a colder climate a durable concrete coating will be able to stand up to the salt exposure for more than a season. There are a lot of factors to consider and there is no one size fits all concrete driveway sealer.
In order to best assist you we have come up with the following general recommendations for concrete driveway sealers:
- Northern climate, natural finish: Penetrating silane/siloxane based concrete sealer
- Northern climate, decorative finish: Durable urethane based concrete coating
- Southern climate, natural finish: Penetrating silane/siloxane based concrete sealer
- Southern climate, decorative finish: Decorative acrylic based concrete driveway sealer
Where to buy a concrete driveway sealer
When it comes to purchasing a concrete driveway sealer big box retailers such as Lowes and Home Depot do not usually carry concrete sealer products on store shelves. They do however have a large assortment in their online catalog. These special order products can be shipped directly to your home or to your local store. If you are under a time constraint you can shop on Amazon since there is a wide assortment of concrete driveway sealers that can be shipped via Prime. Smaller online retailers may have a longer shipping time; however, their pricing is usually most competitive. Before shopping a local hardware store, do some research as to what brands they are carrying since a lot of times they have been selling the same concrete sealer products for years while a newer technology is available.
Specialty concrete driveway sealers
If you are looking for features in addition to deicing salt protection there are products available that will also offer stain protection. These silane/siloxane based products use fluoro-chemistry to repel oils and automotive fluids. This is extremely beneficial when it comes to choosing a concrete driveway sealer since vehicles can leak grease and oil and cause unsightly stains. By using a specialty concrete driveway sealer it will make these stains easier to clean and keep the concrete driveway free of oil and grease stains. Read our review of best oil repellent concrete sealers to learn more.
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We review concrete sealers that range in price from $20 a gallon all the way up to $200 a gallon. I mean is it really worth spending $200 on a single gallon of concrete sealer. Absurd, isn’t it? What if you get the gallon on sale for $150. To some people $200 is an offensive amount to spend on a clear concrete sealer, but $150 is still obscene….or is it.
Why are some concrete sealers so expensive? If you aren’t familiar with the concrete sealer industry, you may suffer sticker shock as you first begin pricing products. Especially when it is hard to see visible results. However, you must remember the many advantages concrete sealers offer. With these in mind, the prices may start to seem more reasonable. The benefits make the extra cost well worth the initial investment. Here are the advantages of using a high quality, expensive sealer.
The Five Details That Matter
Performance : The actives percentage in a concrete sealer is related directly to longevity and product performance. Actives can range anywhere from 1% to 100%. The higher the actives the better the product. If you think of it in terms of fruit juice, 100% juice is always going to be the purest and healthiest form. If you are drinking 10% juice the other 90% is going to be water, sugar and fillers. The same goes for sealers. If a product is 7% actives it is going to have a lot of fillers or is going to be extremely watered down. That being said the actives content will vary based on if the product is water-based or solvent-based. Water-based products are typically always under a 40% concentration. This is because if the actives concentration has any higher viscosity (thickness) the formula would be too great and would not be able to penetrate as well. Solvent-based sealers on the other hand do not have these issues. If you were to compare a 40% water-based sealer with a 40% solvent-based sealer the solvent-based product would out perform the water-based version every time. This is because the solvent is able to carry the active ingredients into the concrete better than water can. 100% actives penetrating sealers are by far the best performing and longest lasting type but they are also going to be the most expensive. Because of their price point they are typically used on commercial projects. Actives contents matter when it comes to determining if an expensive brand is worth it. Review the actives concentration in each of the products you are considering to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A 7% actives concrete sealer may be $30 a gallon whereas a 40% actives concrete sealer may be $60 a gallon. Take into consideration that the $30 gallon may need to be reapplied yearly whereas the $60 gallon won’t need to be reapplied for another 3 years.
Longevity: Which brings us to our next point, longevity in regards to reapplication. Since the actives content is directly related to longevity and price you also need to take into consideration the labor cost of application and reapplication. If a sealer is less expensive you are probably going to need to apply it every year or so. You then have to be mindful of the cost and time of reapplication. Applying a product every year can be costly and time consuming versus applying a product every five years.
Quality: Relating directly with actives concentration is quality. What type of chemical composition was used. For example you may be comparing two silane sealers. They may both be 40% actives yet one may be more expensive then another. Is there a reason for this? The short answer is yes. The long answer is the cost could be related to the type of silane used as not all silanes are created equal. Isooctyltriethoxysilanes are going to be better than alkoxysilanes. Now this may sound like gibberish to you but quality ingredients matter and will effect pricing.
Features: There are features and add-ons that can make a concrete sealer more expensive such as coloring, salt protection or oil repellency.
Chemistry: Chemistry directly reacts to price. Acrylic sealers are topical and because they are film forming and constantly exposed to the elements they need to be reapplied yearly. Penetrating sealers are non film forming and because of this can last over five years. When comparing different types of sealers make sure you are comparing acrylics to acrylics, epoxies to epoxies and silanes to silanes.
Just because a concrete sealer is less expensive doesn’t mean that it is the best option. You need to take into consideration actives content, reapplication and quality before determining if an expensive brand is worth it. There are reasons some concrete sealers are more expensive than others and before writing them off take into account what is most important to you. Are you looking to save money initially or down the road. We believe expensive brands are worth it because of their actives, chemistry, features, quality and longevity. There are priced accordingly. You just need to make sure you are comparing them accordingly.
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The Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer is the best concrete water oil and stain repellent sealer with saltguard, a revolutionary product that is able to repel salts (including deicing salts), oils and stains from household products, automobiles, bbq grills and more. Of a silane/siloxane chemistry with an added proprietary component this concrete sealer product is unrivaled when it comes to sealing driveways, warehouses and patios to name a few. This concrete sealer product leaves a completely clear, natural finish so once you apply it, you won’t even know it is there except when water, and fluids are spilled on the surface and they bead right up like a newly waxed car.
A lot of manufacturers claim their concrete sealer products will “limit the penetration of stains”; however, this is different and must not be confused with a sealer that is formulated to actually repel stains and oil like the Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer. The manufacturer would not give away the proprietary ingredient but we tested it in comparison to the products that claim to limit the penetration of stains and there is no comparison. The proprietary ingredient in the Siloxa-Tek 8505 concrete sealer is extremely effective and performs as described on the technical data sheets and the manufacturer is actually able to provide testing data on request.
This product is available in two variations, a water based version for residential applications and small commercial applications or a solvent based version for larger commercial applications. The water based version is available in a ready to use formulation or an ultra concentrated version (both are readily available for purchase through Lowes.com and if you prefer, The Home Depot.com carries the ready to use version) or it is available on Amazon. The ready to use product will cover 125 sq. ft. per container for both applications and the ultra concentrated product will cover 625 sq. ft. per container for both applications. If you are looking for industrial or commercial use of this product, it is also available in a solvent based version is called Siloxa-Tek 8510 concrete sealer and is available through the manufacturer in 1 gallon, 5 gallon bucket or drum quantities.
When it comes to application it could not be easier to apply. A garden variety sprayer, or nap paint roller is recommended. Two coats are highly recommended and upon talking to the manufacturer they essentially require it. The coats are applied wet-on-wet. What wet-on-wet means is that the second coat is applied before the first coat has dried. Because the concrete sealer product is so hydrophobic if you try to apply the second coat after the first coat has dried the first coat will try to repel the second coat. However, if you apply the second coat while the first coat is still wet you are able to get the product to penetrate as deep as possible and ensure the longest lasting performance. A good rule of thumb is to apply a first coat to a 500 square foot section and go back and apply the second coat to the same 500 square foot section and then move on to the next section and apply a first coat, then second coat. (You can walk on the first coat to apply the second coat, since it is a natural finish product it will not leave footprints).
What we love most about this product is that it does not need to be reapplied every year or even every few years but the product has a lifespan of up to 10 years before needing to apply another 2 coats. Protecting your concrete driveway from spalling, pitting, cracking, deicing salts, oil, auto fluids and staining the Siloxa-Tek 8505 is a worthwhile investment.
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When it comes to choosing a concrete sealer you are probably overwhelmed by the plethora of options and information available on the internet. How do you know which one to choose. Which sites are reliable sources of information. What is the difference between a concrete sealer and a concrete coating. These are the type of questions that can keep someone searching for a concrete sealer up at night. And these are questions we receive on a daily basis. There is no one size fits all concrete sealer since no two substrates are alike. The concrete sealer you would use to seal your basement is not necessarily the same product that you should use on your patio. There are of course exceptions to this rule, but that is why we have come up with a check list to help you narrow down what the best concrete sealer is going to be.
Before we continue, let us define a few key terms that will be important. Application: an application is what you are trying to seal. For example a basement, driveway or patio. Substrate: a substrate is the type of material composition. For example concrete, brick, stone, stucco, slate. Finish: the finish is the level of shine you are looking for out of the product. For example flat, satin, gloss. The finishes are similar to paint finishes. Chemistry: the chemistry is the actual chemical make up of the product. For example, acrylic, epoxy or urethane. Square footage: before you can determine how many gallons of sealer you need, you must calculate the square feet or size of the project. For horizontal applications this can be calculated by measuring the length times width of say a garage or driveway. For vertical application you would follow the same calculations but if you are measuring basement walls you will need to add the square footage of each wall together.
Steps to choosing the best concrete sealer
- Application: narrow down your application and substrate. What are you trying to seal. Is it composed of concrete, brick, stone, slate, stucco? You cannot choose the best concrete sealer if you don’t know what you are sealing. Before continuing your research determine the substrate and the application.
- Location: Where do you live and what type of weathering will the sealer be composed to. Are you looking to seal indoor concrete or outdoor concrete? Identifying your location will help to determine the category of chemistry especially for outdoor applications. For example you do not want to be using a water-based acrylic on a driveway exposed to road salts unless you are okay with re-sealing the concrete every few months.
- Finish: Determine your ideal finish And we say ideal because some times the desired finish is just not practical and will need to be compromised for better longevity and performance. High gloss, wet look sealers look great but they are not going to be a one time clean it and forget it sealer. Determine if you are willing to make a sacrifice or if the final overall appearance is non-negotiable.
- Chemistry: This next category will require a little more research. Determine what the best chemistry will be for your intended application. For example, concrete driveways in northern climates are best sealed with a silane or silane/siloxane based chemistry. Silanes and siloxanes have been proven & tested to reduce road salts and magnesium chloride damage in concrete. On the other hand epoxies are best suited for interior applications since they are not UV stable and have exceptional stain resistance when compared with penetrating sealers.
- Quality/Longevity: Quality and longevity go hand in hand. The better quality, higher actives a product is composed of, the longer it will last. For example a 100% silane will last a lot longer than a 10% actives silane. Think about it like juice. If juice is 100% juice that means there is no added water, sugar or flavorings. Whereas a 10% juice is watered down and has all sorts of fillers and additives. When it comes to penetrating sealers 100% actives is best and will ensure the longest lifespan. But they are also going to be the most expensive. When it comes to penetrating sealers 40% actives tend to be a great alternative since they are what the Department of Transportation specifies on roadways and bridges. Lower quality sealers are often watered down or made with inferior ingredients. The saying you get what you pay for applies to concrete sealers.
- Price: Which brings us to our next point. Just because a sealer is only $30 per gallon does not mean that it is the best investment. The only time buying a $30/gallon bottle of concrete sealer is a good idea is if you are moving and don’t care about it not lasting. It is like buying an expensive jacket. You take into account the price per wear. Even though the upfront expense is costly, you will wear it every day for ten years. It is much more economical than buying a new jacket every year. The same goes for concrete sealer. You can use a $200 sealer to seal your concrete driveway and have it last 10 years, or you can use a $40 concrete sealer that will need to be reapplied yearly. The initial sticker price may be hard to swallow but you will save time and labor in the long run.
General recommendations
You can read our in depth review here where we overview the best concrete sealers in detail.
Siloxa-Tek 8500 is an all around favorite because it can be used on virtually any substrate and will work on all applications. It is a 40% actives silane/siloxane which means it will work to prevent spalling and road salt damage. It is also an excellent waterproofing concrete sealer that you can see working with its exceptional water beading. If you are looking for staining and oil resistance its counterpart Siloxa-Tek 8510 is an even better option. It is 95% actives so it is more expensive but will last longer and make stains easy to clean.
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Best Deicing Salt for Concrete
If you have just installed new concrete or if you have an existing concrete slab you are going to want to be diligent about choosing the best deicing salt for your concrete. Deicing salts can be extremely damaging to concrete causing it to spall, pit and crack even after one winter season. In order to combat these harmful effects you are first going to want to seal your concrete with a penetrating salt repellent concrete sealer.
After your concrete has been sealed you want to make sure to follow the tips below in order to protect your concrete.
- Make sure new concrete is 6 months old before exposing it to a deicing salt chemical; if concrete is newer than this it could cause damage.
- Never use ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate as they will erode concrete at a very fast rate.
- Avoid coming into contact with plants or grass as they can also be damaged by deiciers.
- Use sand as an alternative or use both sand and a deicing salt to maximize traction. When deicing salts are used in conjunction with sand they can provide extra traction in slippery environments.
The safest way to protect your concrete from deicing salt exposure is to not use any deicing salts; however, this is not always possible. If you are going to use deicing salts use them sparingly since heavy and repeated use can result in permanent damage. Also make sure to seal your concrete before exposing it to any indirect or direct deicing salt exposure. Indirect deicing salt exposure can occur when your vehicle tracks in chlorides from the roadways.
The four most popular snow and ice deicing salt melts are:
- Sodium chloride – the most popular and most readily available deicer also known as rock salt. It is also the most damaging as it will damage concrete and metal.
- Calcium chloride – these round white pellets when used in a high enough concentration may chemically attack concrete.
- Potassium chloride – will only work if the air temperature is about 15ºF.
- Magnesium chloride – the best, safest and newest deicing slat on the market. It will work in temperatures as cold as -13ºF.