In a message dated 2/16/2010 10:37:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

She  knows that salt should not be used.


 
Apparently she doesn't know as much as she thinks she knows.
Just why shouldn't salt be used on marble steps?
No good reason at all, she may have half read and retained less a newspaper 
 article about salt use on roads.
The issue with salt, and I am specifically talking about NaCl, is that it  
increases the rate of corrosion of steel, specifically steel embedded in  
concrete.
Salt is one of the best deicers available.  Some of the other  chemicals, 
such as MgCl, KAcetate, and NaAcetate, react with the minerals in  concrete 
and cause different, and in all respects, more serious deterioration  that 
requires removal of all of the concrete.
So, unless the marble steps are pinned together with ferrous pins, she  
should go ahead and use NaCl to deice the steps.
Before a citizen falls and breaks a hip, and then owns the building.
Or she falls herself, and the hospital owns the building.
 
Steve Stokowski

--
**Please remember to trim posts, as requested in the Terms of Service**

To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>