The Winter Salt Attack: Why Your Duluth Driveway Needs Hot Water Cleaning
The Duluth Winter Toll In Duluth, we don't just deal with snow; we deal with thousands of pounds of road salt and de-icers. While essential for safety, these chemicals are concrete’s biggest enemy. Concrete is naturally porous, like a stiff sponge. When salt melts ice, that "brine" (saltwater) seeps deep into your driveway's pores.
The Damage: Pitting and Spalling Once inside, the salt attracts even more moisture. When the temperature drops—as it does dozens of times a season in Northern MN—that water freezes and expands by about 9%. This expansion can exert up to 100,000 psi of internal pressure, causing the surface to flake, peel, and crumble—a process known as spalling.
Why Our Hot Water Process Wins
Most people try to "rinse" their driveway in the spring with a garden hose or a cold-water pressure washer. Here is why we do it differently:
Heat Dissolves Salt: Just like washing greasy dishes, heat is the key. Hot water (up to 180°F) breaks down salt crystals and emulsifies oils much faster and more effectively than cold water.
Deep Pore Cleaning: Our specialized equipment reduces the surface tension of the water. This allows the hot water to penetrate deep into the concrete's pores to flush out the salt brine that cold water leaves behind.
Faster Drying: Surfaces cleaned with hot water dry up to 40% faster, reducing the window for new moisture to settle into the concrete.
Safety First: Plants and Pets
Just like our house washing, our concrete cleaning is safe for your landscaping.
Plant Hydration: We thoroughly saturate your grass and garden beds with fresh water before and after the service.
No Harsh Chemicals: The power of hot water allows us to achieve superior results with little to no harsh detergents, keeping your pets and plants safe.
Total Protection: We handle the runoff to ensure that the salt we're removing doesn't just end up in your flower beds.
Protect Your Investment A professional spring cleaning removes the abrasive debris and salt that accelerate wear and tear. It’s the single best way to extend the lifespan of your driveway and avoid the high cost of a full replacement.
