Salt damage is most commonly due to exposure to de-icing salts. However, any chemical containing chlorides, including sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride etc. found in “safe de-icing chemicals,” fertilizers, ocean water, etc. present a danger to the concrete. All are mildly acidic, and attack the bonds that hold concrete together.

In order to prevent de-icing and chloride damage it is best to use a silane sealer or a blended water based silane/siloxane sealer. If you are looking for the much desired water bead effect choose a silane/siloxane blend.

Silanes:

Enviroseal 40 – The Enviroseal 40 is an excellent source of protection for chlorides, freeze/thaw cycles, and other such potential threats. Because of this and other characteristics of its chemical formula, the Enviroseal 40 is a preferred sealer for certain environments that need protection from high traffic. The Enviroseal 40 is also a great choice because of its international appeal. As it is manufactured by BASF, you can be assured that it will perform up to the high standard required of that company.

Silane/Siloxanes:

Siloxa-Tek 8500 – The water based Siloxa-Tek 8500 is also an excellent choice because of the change to the surface tension to produce a water repellent surface keeping water and aggressive water-soluble salts, such as chlorides and sulfates, out. Siloxa-Tek 8500 can block up to 99% of surface moisture. The active ingredients seal the pores within the substrate adequately blocking surface moisture while still maintaining the concrete’s ability to breathe with an extremely visible water bead effect.

Prosoco Salt Guard WB – Saltguard WB is a ready-to-use water-based, VOC compliant silane/siloxane water repellent and “chloride screen” for the protection of concrete and masonry. This low odor and alkaline stable, Saltguard WB is ideal for field or in-plant application to concrete and most masonry. Saltguard WB protects horizontal and vertical surfaces from moisture intrusion and chemical attack of chloride salts.