Does Water Softener Salt Damage Concrete

Salt does not chemically react with hardened concrete.

Does water softener salt damage concrete.

It also increases the pore size allowing additional water and chemicals into the concrete which can exacerbate freeze thaw cycle damage. The salt is indirectly responsible only because it helps promote more freeze and thaw cycles within the top surface of the concrete. Top answer 33 of 9 votes. Salt can also increase the freeze thaw cycles if the temperature fluctuates between 15 f and 25 f.

The answer is yes salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways patios and sidewalks. The first thing to remember is water soaks into concrete. Water softener salt damage to concrete about a year ago our water softener case cracked and the salt water spilled on to the garage floor. If the unit is malfunctioning and a high salt content is discharged it might leave a white residue once dry.

These actually soften the water from your well by removing the hard water ions calcium magnesium and iron. That sounds weird so we ll explain. It can be washed away easily. The corrosion caused by salt water on concrete is not so much on the concrete as on any rebar or iron reinforcing rods in the concrete.

No to soften water you need a water softener. Salt does however lower the freezing point of water attract moisture and increase pressure of frozen water. Several references to this can be found by searching under salt water corrosion of concrete again the main culprit is the hydrogen sulfide gas formed in the septic tank. Can a water softener salt damage concrete.

The salt used in the brine tank of a water softener does not directly soften the water but is used to regenerate the resin beads in your water softener. The acid is the problem. The acidic reaction attacks the concrete paste and aggregate weakening the structure and strength of the concrete. It s important to realize this water inside the top of the concrete expands about nine percent in volume when it freezes.

Effects of salt on concrete. The cement is being eaten away by the salt water.