Rock Salt Concrete Finish Problems
Few additional skills are needed by the concrete workers to apply the salt finish.
Rock salt concrete finish problems. Rock salt has long been considered a wintertime staple for those living in colder climates. Other than this there is little more work involved in the salt finish process than in the traditional finishing process. Salt finish surface is a decorative method. With the popularity of decorative concrete and the wide range of decorative finishes available today salt finish isn t used much currently.
Features methods and procedures of stamping concrete. Salt finish concrete surface is obtained by inserting coarse rock salt crystals using rollers on the freshly placed concrete surface and washing it off with streams of water after the concrete is set. Problems associated with rock salt on concrete. This procedure gives a rough subtle texture and skid resistance to plain or coloured concrete.
When the sodium chloride combines with water it creates a brine solution that has a freezing temperature much lower than that of water. Unfortunately though using rock salt on concrete can be problematic. As a result it s effective in its ability to melt snow and ice and prevent new problem spots from developing. The salt finish concrete surface is obtained by inserting coarse rock salt crystals using rollers on the freshly placed concrete surface and washing it off with streams of water after the concrete is set.
You may order this book online or call the aberdeen bookstore at 800 323 3550. A rock salt finish isn t recommended for use in areas subject to freezing weather because water trapped in the holes tends to spall the surface when frozen. Exposing concrete to salt isn t always a bad thing especially in the case of a rock salt finish a traditional and easy method for adding subtle texture and skid resistance to plain or colored concrete. Probably the most notable if contested aspect of using salt on concrete is that doing this may cause damage to the concrete surface itself.
When salt is sprinkled on snowy or icy concrete surfaces the melting snow and ice produces water. Concrete workers need only to broadcast the rock salt in addition to making the standard joints. A more detailed account of the finishing process is provided in the portland cement association publication color and texture in architectural concrete.