If Concrete Is Well Maintained, Yet It Was Damaged—Was the Product at Fault?

When concrete damage appears after winter, it’s natural to search for the cause. And if a contractor claims the concrete was well maintained, it might seem like the ice melt product used is to blame. But the reality is more complicated—and the truth is, no one can see what’s happening beneath the surface during a freeze-thaw cycle.
Even a contractor who poured and maintained the slab may not have complete insight into how the concrete has responded to years of weather exposure, surface wear, or sealing effectiveness. When damage happens, there are usually multiple factors involved, not just one.

Air entrainment solves this by introducing microscopic air bubbles into the concrete. These air pockets serve as pressure relief zones. When water infiltrates the concrete and freezes, it expands. Without somewhere to go, that expansion causes cracks, surface flaking (scaling), and pockmarks. But if air voids exist, the expanding ice has space to move—preventing damage.