Keeping your walks clear of snow and ice in the winter has some side effects. Concrete, plants, and even your shoes are all compromised by the chemicals you might use to de-ice.
Ammonium sulfate/ nitrate deicers will play havoc with your concrete grout or flooring. These de-icers will react chemically with the concrete and obliterate it. Don’t think you’ve completely saved your concrete just by avoiding those contemptible chemicals, because (although not as hazardous to your concrete) basic rock-salt will cause your concrete to “scale.”
Scaling is the mechanical weathering caused by water’s natural freeze-thaw cycle. Adding solvents to the water lowers the freezing point of the water meaning the freeze-thaw cycle occurs more often, causing more weathering to the concrete.
