Snow Removal In Goshen, NY

There is a variety of fun activities, the winter season brings. Going on ski trips, gathering around the fireplace, and playing in the snow are just a few of them. However, the winter season also brings a full range of weather related problems. To most people, ice removal is the hardest thing about winters. The real horror shows up when the ice melts down, and people become aware of their damaged concrete. There is a fair amount of confusion about damaged concrete, which is mostly caused freezing and thawing of ice. Unfortunately, most people attribute concrete damage only to the ice melting chemical used, which is partially true. People located in Goshen NY will be exposed to these harsh, concrete crushing conditions. 

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Contrary to popular belief, snow destroys concrete in three distinct ways, which are mentioned below. 

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Freezing and Thawing Cycle 

As discussed above, one of the most common ways snow damaged concrete is by freezing and thawing. When ice freezes, it tends to expand. This unhealthy expansion of ice exerts pressure on concrete, which is far more than it can sustain. When pressure goes beyond control, scaling takes place.

Melting of ice is a natural process, and has little to do with the melting chemical used. In such cases, your concrete acts as an absorbent sponge that drinks up all the water. However, if you use an ice melter, the amount of water that will seep into the concrete will be far more than what it will be if the ice is left frozen. As discussed in the previous paragraph, freezing and melting of ice is completely natural. To expedite the melting process, a chemical melter should be applied, and the moment ice becomes runny, it should be removed immediately. If need be, seek a professional commercial snow removal service such as National snow plowing located in Goshen NY.

Chemical Damage 

The American Concrete Institute is one of the leading institutions in the US that plans and provides guidelines for the design and construction of concrete. According to the American Institute the chemicals used to melt ice are one of the primary contributors to concrete damage. Some of the most common ice melting chemicals are mentioned below.  

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• Sodium Cyanide 

• Aluminum Chloride

• Ammonium Nitrate

• Ammonium Sulfate 

• Magnesium Sulfate

• Ammonium Chloride

Cracks Caused By Water Salt 

Have you ever wondered why icy roads present a horrific image after drying? There is a reason for that. To begin with, concrete is a permeable material. It means that despite being solid and appearing seep-resistant, it is porous, and allows liquid and gas to pass through. The freezing and thawing of the ice compromise the bonds that make concrete the solid that it is. 

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The damage becomes even immense when salt is used to melt the ice. Salt melts ice at a fast pace, thus making more water seep into the concrete. Also, the acidic nature of salt weakens the bonds that hold concrete together, thus making it wear off. 

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The next time you are repairing your concrete for winter damage, make sure to keep the aforementioned points in mind. 

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Contact us today for professional snow removal services in Goshen NY.