Will Salt Damage Asphalt Pavement?

Whether they have been there for years or you have just recently paved, your asphalt surfaces are an important investment. As a result of the recent snow, you might be asking yourself whether or not you should be applying salt to rid the ice and slush. If you are, you are not alone. Many people worry that throwing salt on asphalt will damage it or cause it to deteriorate. Before tossing out all of your supply, continue reading to learn the real facts about the affects of salt and similar de-icing agents might have on asphalt.

Salt and Reagents are Mostly Safe to Use on Asphalt Pavements.

What You Need to Know About Applying Salt to Asphalt

The truth about snow melting and de-icing salts is that they will not deteriorate or damage your asphalt pavement, nor will they cause potholes to form. However, such salts can cause line striping and road markings to fade more quickly, over time, as well as pose certain environmental risks of not handled and applied properly.

Protect the Environment

When using salts on pavements, it is important to consider the environmental impact it can have on the surrounding Eco-system. To prevent water runoff contamination, be cautious when applying your salt by using it sparingly, and always shoveling snow away first.

Don’t Worry About Potholes

Applying salt on asphalt should not cause it to deteriorate or crack, which means you do not have to be concerned about pothole formation come spring. Potholes develop as a result of annual freeze-thaw cycles, which occurs when water trapped inside pavement pores freezes in the winter, and then thaws in the spring. When water inside pavement freezes, it causes the pavement to expand. When the water thaws, the pavement contracts, which leads to cracks and other ground stability issues.

Salt is Essentially Safe for Asphalt

It is a common misunderstanding that salt will damage asphalt. So long as your asphalt was laid by a trusted and certified Indianapolis asphalt paving company, your asphalt surfaces should be fully-resistant to any potential affects salt and other minerals can have on them. Furthermore, it is important to have asphalt seal coated, and then resealed every three to five years; otherwise, you could start to see pavement deterioration.

Where to Get Superior Asphalt Service in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for licensed, bonded, and insured commercial asphalt paving services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer a wide range of paving services for commercial and industrial properties, at the most competitive prices in town, including pothole repair and winter cold patching work. Request a free quote, today.

Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company
Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company 317-549-1833