Clean Pavements for Clean Cars would be a great motto for those car wash businesses in the Northeast that have chosen concrete over asphalt, reports NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Doug O'Neill. The Niagara Car Wash operates in both Pennsylvania and New York and uses concrete at all its sites. In Rochester, NY, where O'Neill is based, there are several car washes that have decided to go with concrete because of the durability of the surface, especially under severe conditions. 

During the winter months, car washes in the Northeast do a brisk business due to the amount of road salt that gets used and eventually finds its way onto the cars. In these winter conditions, the entrances take abuse from cars dripping salt and the exits take abuse because they are constantly wet due to the cars exiting the wash. Concrete offers owners a much more durable, non-slip surface, O'Neill said. Another reason car wash owners are choosing concrete is the perception of cleanliness; customers are more often going to pull in to a well lit, clean, safe site and concrete offers that.