Solving Your Salt Pit Problems With Armor Coating Co.’s Salt Pit Removal Services

During the winter months, salting your driveway or parking lot is a necessary evil. While this practice helps prevent icing and snow buildup, it comes with a downside: salt pits.

When spring arrives, and the ice melts, the salt will slowly corrode and weaken your pavement. You will likely end up with holes and cracks that can be costly—and dangerous.

If these issues seem familiar, reach out to the Armor Coating Co. team. We can refresh your concrete surface and prevent further damage from occurring. Read on to learn more about our salt pit removal solutions!

Where Does Salt Damage Come From?

De-icing salts might be the main culprit of salt damage, but they represent just the tip of the iceberg. All substances with chlorides, like potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride, can harm your concrete. Some common sources of these compounds include:

  • “Safe” de-icing chemicals
  • Fertilizer
  • Sea water
  • Industrial waste
  • Pool water
  • Pipework leaks

How Do Salts Damage Your Concrete?

Salt exposure can affect your surfaces in different ways. Let’s take a look:

  • Acid corrosion: The slightly acidic nature of salt weakens the bond between concrete materials and increases the pore size. This effect leaves the surface vulnerable to moisture and chemical damage.
  • Hygroscopic expansion: Salt is hygroscopic, or it soaks up water. As the salt absorbs moisture, it expands, putting more pressure on your surface and leading to cracking and flaking.
  • Carbonation: As the salt-soaked metal reinforcement inside the concrete comes into contact with carbon dioxide, its pH will gradually dip and become vulnerable to corrosion.
  • Chloride Corrosion: The metal supports inside the concrete can also succumb to direct corrosion from chloride ions, leading to further damage.

Avoid These Pitfalls With Armor Coating Co.’s Salt Pit Removal Services

The moment you spot small craters, pitting, or holes on your concrete surface, you need to call Armor Coating Co. We use the latest industry techniques to restore the strength and beauty of your concrete:

Inspection

We manually test the concrete to determine if it has the strength for resurfacing. We also use infrared thermometers to evaluate temperature variations and check for hidden deterioration. If the surface seems too weak, we may suggest a replacement.

Surface Preparation

Our techs use power washers or the wet sanding method to remove dirt, grime, and other debris that might affect the salt pit removal process. It also allows us to detect any underlying issues.

Salt Pit Removal

Using specialized tools like hammer drills, we begin blasting away the salt layers inside the pit. Then, our team injects a sodium chloride solution that dissolves the remaining calcium carbonate in the concrete.

With the salts now liquified, we can easily remove them using vacuum equipment. This technique lets us thoroughly eliminate all the salts with as little disruption to the surface as possible.

Resurfacing and Sealing

The next step involves resurfacing your concrete and patching any damage. We fill the pits using a strong, flexible material that protects the surface from further weathering. Our team can also apply a concrete sealer to improve the surface’s longevity and strength.

Benefits of Salt Pit Removal and Prevention

Why go through the trouble of salt pit removal and surface restoration? Below we offer a few compelling reasons:

Improved Safety

Do your salt pit-ridden surfaces get a lot of foot traffic? Whether on your concrete pool deck or garden walkway, even the tiniest divots can cause slips and falls. Professional salt pit removal creates a smooth, level surface and improves traction, even in wet weather.

Enhanced Durability

With an applied coating and sealer, your surface will last through extreme weathering while reducing maintenance needs. Why spend thousands of dollars replacing an entire surface when a small investment can safeguard it against future damage?

Visual Appeal

Salt pits don’t just compromise the strength of your concrete; they also make it look aged and worn out. Resurfacing eliminates all signs of damage, leaving you with a blemish-free surface that’ll help make your outdoor spaces look more inviting.

If you want to give your concrete floor some sheen or color, we can also apply a decorative coating. Many of our products also provide UV protection, so your surfaces won’t fade easily.

Flood Prevention

When they become big enough, salt pits can divert the normal flow of water and contribute to flooding. Our salt pit removal services can help you avoid this hazard by restoring the proper water flow in your outdoor spaces.

Healthier Landscape

If you have grass, shrubs, and other greenery near your concrete surface, salt pits can lead to their death. Salt deposits can draw away moisture and nutrients from the earth, starving your plants of essential elements. By removing these pits, you can save your plants and maintain a healthier landscape.

Schedule Your Salt Pit Removal in Duluth Today

Without professional salt pit removal and sealing, you will likely have to regularly clean the surface and stay on top of potential issues. Don’t waste your time and money on DIY solutions that won’t give you the results you need.

At Armor Coating Co., we work hard to help you get the best results at an affordable cost. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your salt pit removal in Duluth and nearby areas. With us, you can enjoy a beautiful, durable concrete surface for many years to come!

How Much Do Your Concrete Floor Coatings Cost?

Each project is customized to your particular concrete flooring needs. Every job we do is different, because we offer different types of coatings and finishes.  We will work with you to develop a free estimate keeping your budget in mind. 

How Long Will The Concrete Coating Last?

We use the highest quality materials in our polyaspartic floor coatings and we’ve perfected our application process to make the concrete coating permanent.  Once completely cured and adhered, the concrete coating is meant to last as long as the substrate it’s adhered to.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Over Epoxy Floor Coatings?

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings dry more quickly than Epoxy Floor Coatings, and the finish is also more durable.  Our floor concrete coating finishes are also more slip-resistant and will not discolor like some Epoxy Floor Coatings.

How Long Do I Need To Stay Off My Concrete Floor Coating After It Is Installed?

Our flooring cures within a few hours, however our team of professionals recommends waiting at least 4-6 hours before walking on your brand new concrete coated flooring. After 12 hours, you can begin moving lightweight objects onto the flooring, like light patio furniture.  We recommend waiting a full 24 hours before moving anything heavy back into the area where we’ve applied the coating (your car, heavy equipment or furniture etc.).

Will My New Concrete Floor Coating Turn Yellow?

It sure won’t! Our concrete floor coverings will not yellow or discolor, because they are UV stable. This  one of the many benefits of using Polyurea or Polyaspartic floor coatings.

Will I Need To Reseal My Concrete Floor Coating?

If you follow our maintenance and cleaning guidelines, you should not have to worry about resealing the concrete floor coating. We offer a professional grade cleaner that will easily remove stains or tire marks, but will also preserve the life of your concrete coating topcoat.

How Long Does It Take You To Apply Concrete Floor Coatings?

We’ve perfected our 6-step application process, so most typical projects take between 5-10 hours depending on the square footage.  We pride ourselves in a one-day application, and will do everything possible to stay within that time frame.  Rainy weather can delay the project, but it is rare.

How Do I Care For My Concrete Floor Coating?

You can clean our concrete coatings with typical sweeping, mopping or steaming, and hoses.  We offer maintenance services should your concrete flooring ever need cleaning, however you can also use non-abrasive cleaners, like CLR, to remove grease or other stains. 

Will Oil Stain My Concrete Floor Coating?

Armor coatings are oil resistant as well as moisture resistant.

Who Invented Polyaspartic Coatings?

Bayer Material Science first developed Polyaspartic coatings in the 1990’s to protect steel bridges and infrastructure from rusting and corrosion. It has since been modified for different applications, once being durable concrete flooring coatings.

What Are Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings?

Polyaspartic Concrete coating is another name for Aliphatic Polyurea, which is a hybrid material consisting of ester and other materials. It was originally developed to coat metal bridges.  It was later used to coat concrete flooring due to its durability and moisture resistance. Polyurea is also used to coat truck bed liners.

Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used Outside?

They sure can!  We offer wonderful solutions for driveways, patios, and even the area around the pool.  Our coatings are all UV stable, which will help prevent discoloration or flaking.

What Types Of Environments Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used?

Polyaspartic flooring coatings can be used in a variety of environments.  The durability, slip resistant finish is fantastic for any industrial setting, storefronts, patios, or even driveways or garages.

How Are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Applied?

We have perfected a six step process for applying Polyaspartic Floor Coatings that involves prepping the floor, basecoating, applying chips, scraping the chips, and applying the clear UV protective clear coat. 

Can I Apply Polyaspartic Floor Coatings In Cold Temperatures?

You can!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are safe to apply in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees.

How Long Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Take To Dry?

Our Polyaspartic Floor Coatings are engineered to rapidly cure, and can be dry in a matter of a few hours!  However, we recommend waiting at least 5-6 hours before walking on newly applied coating and 24 hours before moving heavy objects back onto the flooring.

Do I Need To Hire A Professional To Install Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

Installing Polyaspartic Floor Coating correctly is critical to the appearance and durability of your flooring.  Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that your flooring will look amazing and last a lifetime! Our team at Armor Coatings is certified in Polyaspartic Floor Coating installation and have many years of experience.

Is It Possible To Cover Existing Epoxy Floor Coating With Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

It is!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are specially formulated for their incredible adhesion properties.  If you have existing patches of epoxy coating, our team can sand it down, vacuum, and wipe down the area with a solvent.  Once prepped, we will apply your new, superior, Polyaspartic Floor Coating