Deicers provide a valuable service once the ambient temperature drops below freezing. They help melt ice, especially on driveways, to keep properties free from ice-related incidents. Unfortunately, this can be counterproductive if such deicers damage garage floor coatings and the cement underneath. Some better options are available to preserve your space when the weather outside is frightful.
What Are Deicers?
There are many commercially available solutions for melting the ice on driveways and sidewalks, each with unique pros and cons. These compounds do their deicing duty by lowering the freezing point of water and inhibiting bonds between ice and the surface beneath.
For example, many commercial deicers contain glycol which has a freezing point of -12°C. While water’s freezing point is a straightforward 0°C, the freezing point of the two liquids combined is dramatically lower than either individual component, an impressive -50°C for a 70:30 mixture of ethylene glycol:water.
Salt
Rock salt is the most common deicer on the market. It is naturally occurring, and there are many kinds of salt. Sodium chloride rock salt isn’t on poison control’s radar, yet it does pose other problems, the biggest being that it is a catalyst for rust formation. Calcium chloride, on the other hand, is very toxic and bad for the environment.
Like sand, salt used as a deicer gets everywhere, even in places you do not intend. Even if your garage floor coating is missed in the salt’s initial distribution, you or others are likely to track it across such floors on your shoes.
Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene glycol is in many commercial deicers. It is highly toxic if ingested, though fortunately it decays within 10 days in water and soil. Used sparingly, ethylene glycol isn’t likely to be harmful to the environment.
Sand
Sand is not technically a decider since it doesn’t cause driveway ice to melt, but it can be used to add traction in the face of thick and slippery ice. Because it can make icy driveways messy, cleaning it up can be monotonous.
Do Deicers Damage Garage Floor Coatings?
The short answer is yes, most deicers damage garage floor coatings. They are well-understood to damage concrete, and unfortunately garage floor coatings can be susceptible. This damage ranges from unsightly staining to prominent structural damage.
One way deicers damage garage floor coatings is by staining them. If you’ve ever walked outside in areas where rock salt has been laid to prevent ice buildup, you’ll know that even brief contact leaves salt residue on any surface it touches. These can be obnoxious to clean off, but it is important to do so promptly to prevent staining. Garage floor coatings are affected in the same way.
Most deicers are made from materials with corrosive properties. This helps them break down ice, but it also means that deicers damage garage floor coatings. If deicing compounds aren’t carried in on the soles of your shoes, they will be carried in on the tires and undercarriage of your vehicles.
Preserving Your Garage Floor Coating
Floor coatings do a lot to prevent environmental damage to your floors. They form a barrier between the cement and the harsh winter elements. Concrete is naturally porous, and one way deicers harm unprotected cement is by melting ice so quickly that the cement underneath becomes oversaturated with water.
Salts also draw moisture, and when the concrete becomes saturated, the freeze-thaw cycle of water can cause garage floors to flake or even crack. Since deicers damage garage floor coatings, you can extend the life of your coating by being very mindful of the chemicals and methods you use to clear off your driveway.
Some kinds of coatings are more resistant to deicers than others. If you know you live in an area that gets ice, do your research before having your garage floor covered to make sure you choose the best kind for your property. Adding a topical sealer can improve your floor coating’s durability.
Clean It Up
The perfect way to clean your coating will depend on the kind of coating you have, but a little vinegar or dish soap in a gallon of water usually does the job. Be sure to rinse well. Other cleaning solutions are available commercially if you prefer.
Repairs
Flaking can be repaired with a polymer-modified cement, a stronger, cleaner, and more elegant solution than an ordinary cement patch. Find the best polymer to match the floor coating you have.
Alternatives—Damage-Free Deicers
Hot water is the most natural deicer for driveways, but like all the others, has its pros and cons. To its credit, adding more water won’t hurt the environment or damage garage floor coatings. It must be used with discretion, however. Pouring boiling or near-boiling water on cold surfaces (like glass) can cause them to crack, and spreading water on the driveway while it is icy outside can be very tedious.
Some property owners choose to install warming pads underneath their driveways. While this makes ice removal very easy, high installation costs can be prohibitive. We recommend laying down mats in your garage during the winter to keep the deicers away.
