Is regular old rock salt safe to use on wooden decks?

[79Blazer]

Eh?

 

[guyver01]

If rock salt eats thru asphalt... what do you think it will do to wood?




What if ice melter gets on a wood deck?

An ice melter used on a wood deck can penetrate the wood pores and cause degradation as it dries and re-crystallizes. Wood sealers offer some protection, but ice melters should still be used with care.

 

[DurocShark]

Wouldn't it turn wood black?

 

[guyver01]

There are two common types of rock salt that are described below. These rock salts are used to melt snow and ice in the winter. They are also commonly used in water softeners. Both types of rock salt are considered hazardous and are acceptable materials at the Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilitys

Sodium Chloride ? a/k/a Halite; is non-hazardous but will react with strong acids to generate HCl and strong oxiding agents to generate Cl2.

Calcium Chloride ? This material is Dangerous When Wet. Therefore contact with water generates heat. In the presence of moisture, the material is corrosive to aluminum, zinc and tin, producing highly flammable hydrogen gas. Keep away from acids; gives off heat

 

[79Blazer]

Thanks. I figured it wasn't too safe to use on wood decks, but I wanted to be sure.

 

[Kenazo]

metal snow shovels are also dangerous for wood decks. Use plastic.

 

[Ausm]

I use Rock salt on my deck all the time...


Sysadmin

 

Rock salt does not eat through asphalt, it will eat through standard concrete.

 

[rh71]

Does rock salt work when it's below freezing ? I need to get rid of that solid ice in my driveway.

 

Once below 20 F, I find that no rock salt on the market will work at melting ice.

 

[79Blazer]

Originally posted by: Roger
Once below 20 F, I find that no rock salt on the market will work at melting ice.

Dosen't that synthetic (Created in a lab somehwere) stuff like "Heat" work in VERY low temps?

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: Roger
Rock salt does not eat through asphalt, it will eat through standard concrete.

what causes all the potholes then?

right after a large snowstorm is when it's horrid.... something is eating away the asphalt all the way down to the deck.

 

Potholes are caused from frost heaving and plowing.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Roger
Potholes are caused from frost heaving and plowing.

Nothing to do with expansion of freezing water that seeps into the cracks ?

 

Nothing to do with expansion of freezing water that seeps into the cracks ?

That's what frost heaving is.

 

[Lvis]

Boats kept in salt water rot less than fresh water boats. Sometimes rock salt is put into the bilge of boats to keep water from freezing. This isn't considered a good idea though, as it is hard on the fastenings, causing them to corrode.

I doubt it would hurt the wood of your deck, it may even help preserve it, but it isn't good for the screws or nails.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Roger

Nothing to do with expansion of freezing water that seeps into the cracks ?

That's what frost heaving is.

Oh I thought that was an alternate way of saying "chucking snow"