Salt on our Roads

Grant Feasby P.Eng. | Jul 20, 2022

Calcium chloride, aka "Calcium" has been spread on our unpaved roads as well as the K&P trail. This results in effective dust suppression, which may be a good thing.

However, we should all consider that this salt is extremely corrosive, many times more corrosive than the sodium chloride used during the winter. Add to that a temperature effect which makes it even worse.

Calcium chloride is a good dust suppressant because it is a hygroscopic salt that picks up moisture from the air. Particularly after a rain event, a corrosive mud will stick to your vehicle bottom and chew away exposed iron metal.

Regular washing of your vehicle's underside with clean water is recommended if salted roads are regularly travelled. Note, many commercial car washes recycle a portion of their salty water.

Grant Feasby P.Eng.