Winter Weather Challenges for Commercial Properties
The cold weather, ice and snow take their toll on commercial properties. Since the winter elements are safety hazards, immediate removal is critical. This is an important safety measure to ensure building occupants and visitors do not slip and fall, but materials that help melt the ice and snow often lead to metal deterioration. Understanding how ice melt impacts metal is essential to protecting your building’s infrastructure.
How Ice Melt Impacts Metal
Aluminum is known for its ability to resist corrosion well, but it can corrode under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, exposure to salts in ice melt is one of those circumstances. Metal corrosion is a significant concern, particularly in parking garages, due to the steel rebar embedded in the concrete for reinforcement.
Non-Chloride Deicers: A Safer Alternative
The common dry non-chloride deicers used to avoid corrosion are:
- CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate)
- Sodium acetate
- Urea
For anti-icing, the primary non-chloride liquid is potassium acetate. Notice that none of these chemicals include the word “chloride.”
Are “Less Corrosive” Chloride-Based Deicers Effective?
Some chloride-based deicers claim to be “less corrosive.” These products typically contain 95–99% chlorides with about 1% CMA added. Since CMA costs about 20 times as much per pound as salt, only a minimal amount is added. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to support the claim that adding a small amount of CMA reduces the corrosiveness of chlorides.
Budget-Friendly Steps to Minimize Corrosion
If the price non-corrosive deicer exceeds your budget, there are some steps you can take to minimize the corrosion process and avoid costly repairs:
- Place mats both outside and inside all entrances
- Increase frequency of cleanings
- Try to keep the snowmelt from building up on any of your metal
- Once warmer temperatures arrive, pressure wash areas exposed to ice melt
Protect Your Building with KCR
For more information on how to protect and maintain your building’s exterior through the winter, contact KC Restoration today. We are the trusted experts in restoration, beautification and preservation. Keep your metal clean and shiny with regular maintenance services!
