Salt pits can occur in different areas of your home, but they’re not always easy to spot. Many property owners are unaware of cavities or pits on their concrete surfaces as they can be hard to identify. Salt pit removal by professional concrete coating experts is necessary to secure your property’s functionality and safety.
Here’s everything you need to know about salt pits, why they occur, and how to remove them from your property in Duluth, WI.
What Is a Salt Pit?
Salt pits are small pockets of salty water found in the ground near your home. They can range in size from 1 inch to 4 inches deep and can form naturally or occur due to leaks from nearby pipes or drains.
The water that fills these pits is highly corrosive and will eat away at any nearby structures, such as concrete sidewalks or building foundations.
What Causes Salt Pits on Concrete Surfaces?
Salt pits on concrete surfaces occur when water gets trapped in the pores of the concrete, causing it to expand and crack. Salt pits are a common problem on concrete surfaces, especially in areas with high humidity levels. Though salt pits may be one of the most common causes of damage to concrete, you can avoid them with proper maintenance.
Salt Pit Removal in Duluth, MN
Salt pit removal requires the services of professionals who understand how to remediate the situation.
The process of removing salt corrosion and pitting is complex. It can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, making it vital to hire a professional with experience working with the necessary chemicals.
When you contact a salt pit removal company to remove salt pits from your concrete surfaces, they will follow a proprietary process that includes the following:
- Inspecting the concrete surface where the salt pit is and determining if the concrete is sound for resurfacing.
- If the concrete is sound, they will use an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of each section of concrete. This measurement helps them determine if they need to remove any parts of the concrete before resurfacing.
- Wet sanding the surface to ensure that it is free of any dirt or debris before beginning the process of salt pit removal can begin.
- Using specialized equipment, such as a hammer drill, to blast the salt layers from within the pit.
- Injecting a sodium chloride solution into the concrete to break down the calcium carbonate in the concrete and allow it to dissolve in the water passing through it. (The goal is to create a solution you can remove from the concrete by using vacuuming equipment so that you do not have to chip it away from the surface, ensuring that no damage occurs during this process.)
- Fill in the pit with a particular type of concrete designed to protect the pit area.
- Applying one or more coats of sealant onto the surface of the concrete to prevent future rusting or corrosion. This micro-sealing prevents future water penetration and powdery salt deposits from returning to the surface.
How Do You Prevent Future Salt Damage on Concrete Surfaces?
Concrete is one of the best building materials for residential and commercial properties. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and looks great. However, if you don’t take steps to prevent future salt damage, it can break down and look less appealing over time, necessitating salt pit removal.
Here are some tips for preventing future salt damage on concrete surfaces:
Clean the surface regularly
Salt can build up on concrete surfaces very quickly. When you notice salt deposits forming on your driveway, sidewalk, or patio, clean them off immediately with a power washer or pressure washer to prevent further damage.
Apply protective coatings and sealant
Once you have cleaned off the surface and removed any loose particles, apply a protective concrete coating and sealer to protect the concrete from future degradation from moisture or other elements like sunlight exposure.
Contact the Salt Pit Removal Experts for a Free Quote
If you suspect salt pits on your property in Duluth, WI, contact the experts at Armor Coating Co. for an assessment and quote. We’ll come out to your location and perform a free inspection of your property, identifying any potential salt pits that could be damaging the integrity of your home or business.
After the inspection, we’ll provide a quote for salt pit removal. We will also recommend a durable polyurea and polyaspartic flake coating with an outstanding 15-year warranty to prevent further damage.
Call (715) 934-9037 to schedule your free estimate with our concrete coating experts.