What is the most environmentally friendly deicer?
The ECO-ST De-icer: One of the Top Environmentally Conscious De-icers on the Market
- ECO-ST reduces damage to plants. Many deicers cause damage to the ground and vegetation by drawing the water out of them. ...
- Adsorbs chloride ions. STAR’S TECH de-icer contains starfish extract. ...
- A safer solution for pets. Many pet owners worry about the effects of de-icers on their pets and other wildlife. ...
- ECO-ST uses natural biowaste. ...
Do deicers or ice melt damage concrete?
There has been concern that de-icers can damage the concrete due to the chemicals that melt the ice. Most de-icers for concrete are chloride combinations, usually sodium (rock salt) or magnesium. Sodium Chloride is rock salt, and it can cause damage to plants and metals – it’s salt. Rock salt can be particularly corrosive.
How de-icing chemicals can damage concrete?
This damage can be aggravated by the use of deicing chemicals, which cause concrete to undergo additional freeze/thaw cycles as ice is melted and refrozen. Deicing chemicals can also allow concrete to become "super saturated", and hold more water than it would naturally. And of course, more water means more expansion as it freezes.
Does salt deicer damage wood decks?
When salt dries out wood, it interferes with the normal expansion and contraction of wood, causing the deck to corrode more quickly. Calcium chloride is a more abrasive deicing salt that can irritate the skin and corrode concrete. It’s also not recommended for use on wooden surfaces.
How do deicers damage concrete?
How does rebar corrosion affect concrete?
Can deicers cause concrete to freeze?
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What type of ice melt is safe for concrete?
Calcium Chloride is the Best Ice Melt for Concrete It has a much lower risk of intensifying the freeze-thaw cycle like rock salt since it can work at much lower temperatures. That lower practical working temperatures prevent ice melt from refreezing and exerting pressure on concrete, causing spalling.
What is the best de icer for concrete?
Magnesium chloride is consistently ranked as one of the best and safest ice melts for concrete on the market. Unlike some other ice melts, you can safely use magnesium chloride in heavily vegetated areas. It also has other benefits: Non-corrosive.
What kind of salt won't hurt concrete?
Magnesium chloride is a great choice! While magnesium chloride is more expensive than sodium chloride and calcium chloride, it is less likely to damage your concrete or your lawn. This type of salt only works in temperatures down to 0° F, which is better than sodium chloride but not quite as good as calcium chloride.
What can I use instead of salt on concrete?
Clearing ice from your sidewalk is important for your safety and that of others. Salt is one way, but there are better alternatives.Calcium Magnesium Acetate.Sand or Kitty Litter.Sugar Beet Juice/Brine.Coffee Grounds.Alfalfa Meal.Heated Mats.
Does calcium chloride hurt concrete?
Calcium chloride, another common deicer, can attack concrete if a concentrated amount is applied. Magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, and magnesium nitrate have also been found to be damaging to concrete.
Is sodium chloride ice melt safe for concrete?
Rock salt or sodium chloride is the most commonly used ice melter. It is inexpensive and melts ice. Compared to other materials, though, it has limited effectiveness in very cold temperatures. It will not melt ice at temperatures below 20o F, and it may be harmful to vegetation, but is considered safe for concrete.
How do you melt ice without damaging concrete?
How to Melt Ice without Damaging ConcreteUse safer deicing chemicals. ... Apply an abrasive. ... Install a heated driveway. ... Lay down snow-melting mats. ... Seal your concrete against moisture and salt intrusion. ... What if my concrete already has salt damage?
What is the safest ice melt for driveways?
Safest Ice Melt For Concrete Asphalt: Rock salt and other harmful chloride salt cause masonry flaking, scaling, and pockmarks on the driveway or sidewalks. The safest option for your driveway and walkway is a natural salt-free ice melt.
Does snow melt ruin concrete?
Surface spalling (or flaking) is caused when snow and ice melts and water is absorbed into the concrete. As the air temperature drops below freezing this water expands as it turns to ice. This expansion produces a force, which if it exceeds the yield point of the concrete, causes pieces to break out of the surface.
What can I use instead of salt on the sidewalk?
Instead of salt they recommend the following:Sand. Sand not only absorbs sunlight, which can help snow and ice melt, but it also adds traction so that your friends and family don't slip and fall.Kitty Litter. ... Vinegar. ... Sugar Beet Juice. ... Alfalfa Meal. ... Coffee Grinds.
What can I use to melt ice instead of salt?
Create a Hot Water, Soap, and Rubbing Alcohol Mixture Simply grab a bucket and add half of a gallon of hot water, one-fourth a cup of rubbing alcohol, and around six drops of dish soap. Once it's all combined, you pour the solution over the driveway. The snow should bubble up and begin melting.
Does ice melt hurt concrete?
Basically, the chloride salts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium are the main components of ice melts. The melt-off from these salts can weaken the structural integrity of a concrete surface. The end result is spalling or flaking of the concrete surface.
Is sodium chloride or calcium chloride a better deicer?
Summary. Calcium chloride is an effective deicer, working at temperatures below most competing products, and is significantly more effective than sodium chloride because of its ability to extract moisture from its surroundings and to cause exothermic or heat generating reactions.
What is the safest ice melt for driveways?
Safest Ice Melt For Concrete Asphalt: Rock salt and other harmful chloride salt cause masonry flaking, scaling, and pockmarks on the driveway or sidewalks. The safest option for your driveway and walkway is a natural salt-free ice melt.
Does ice melt damage concrete?
The use of too much rock salt or chemical ice melt can damage your concrete. The easiest method to avoid this is to use a non-toxic ice melt suitable for concrete, which will not hurt you if you use it too much. Colored ice melt might help you spread the melt evenly across the area and avoid overusing it.
Is potassium chloride safe for concrete?
Potassium chloride is not safe for concrete as it increases the frequency of the freeze-thaw cycle, thus damaging the surface.
Best Concrete Deicer - What is the best deicer to use on concrete?
Hi, I am Mike Day, owner of Day’s Concrete Floors, Inc. in Maine. I've been working with concrete for 40 years now, and this website is where I can share with you all the knowledge and wisdom I've gained from installing all kinds of decorative concrete, concrete floors, concrete overlays, concrete slabs and also fixing cracked or spalled concrete.
How to Melt Ice on Concrete without Causing Damage - Concrete Network
Apply an abrasive. Applying an abrasive material, such as sand or natural volcanic granules, to an icy concrete driveway or sidewalk is great for improving traction and making surfaces safer.Although these abrasives won’t actually melt ice or snow, you can use them in combination with deicing chemicals, if necessary, to reduce the amount of deicer you need to apply and lessen its negative ...
How cold does CMA melt?
CMA was produced for new concrete less than 2 years old. CMA will melt snow and ice effectively in temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7C). What is a good pet safe ice melter? Return from Best concrete deicer to Concrete deicers.
How cold does calcium chloride melt snow?
The pellets start to melt ice and snow immediately upon contact. They'll melt snow in temperatures as low as -40 degrees F.
What is the most environmentally friendly concrete deicer?
CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ACETATE. Considered the most environmentally friendly concrete deicer. CMA is a combination of dolomitic lime and acetic acid (the principle component of vinegar). CMA is considered no more corrosive than tap water and does not harm vegetation or ponds, lakes, and streams.
How to stop water from soaking in concrete?
Apply a penetrating silicate concrete sealer to completely block moisture from being absorbed into the concrete. So when the deicing material melts the snow and ice , the water runs off the surface instead of soaking into the concrete.
What is the process of dissolving calcium chloride?
The dissolving process is an exothermic process that generates heat up to 60 degrees Celcius (140F).
When to remove calcium chloride from concrete?
The important thing to remember when you use calcium chloride or any other concrete de-icing product is once the de-icing product melts the ice and snow on the concrete and turns it into slush , you should remove it from the concrete before the de-icer wears off and the slush re-freezes. When you allow the melted ice & snow (slush) ...
What is the best ice melting agent for concrete?
Sodium chloride or more commonly known as rock salt is relatively inexpensive and a very popular ice melting agent for concrete. It also forms a brine solution (salty water) when it comes into contact with ice and snow that quickly spreads over the surface it's applied to and works good in temperatures as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-9C).
How Do Ice Melt For New Concrete Work?
Ice melts work by drawing water and forming a brine, which in turn produces the heat needed to melt ice or snow.
What is the purpose of ice melts?
Ice melts are crystal-like granules that can be used to melt ice and snow.
What is the difference between rock salt and ice melt?
The main distinguishing factor between the two is that rock salt is purely mineral chloride, while ice melts are a mixture of sodium chloride and other minerals like calcium, magnesium, and other minerals.
How to get rid of ice on concrete?
There are many ways to get rid of ice on concrete. Shove ling is one of them, but as you can imagine, that would take time and energy.
Is it safe to put ice melts on a driveway?
A heated driveway is one of such options, and while it is more expensive than calcium or potassium chloride ice melts, it is also effective and safe.
Is calcium chloride safe for concrete?
Another advantage of calcium chloride (besides the fact that it is safe on concrete), is the fact that is not as corrosive as other ice melt products.
Is magnesium chloride corrosive?
Notwithstanding, magnesium chloride is not corrosive, and this makes it safe for use around soil and plants.
What happens when a deicing agent wears off?
When the deicing agent wears off or the temperature falls below its ability to work, the brine solution re-freezes in the concrete and expands. Good concrete is designed with microscopic air voids in its structure to allow for water to be absorbed, freeze, and expand.
What happens when you put deicing salt on concrete?
When you put deicing salts on concrete to melt snow and ice, the deicing salts change the snow and ice from a solid to a salty liquid (brine solution) that melts more snow and ice, eventually breaking the bond between the ice and the concrete.
How long does it take for concrete to be cured?
It does take concrete at least 30 days and sometimes up to a year to reach its full strength. Just use some sand in the meantime and clean the concrete off regularly. Some deicing salts for concrete are corrosive, sodium chloride (rock salt), and calcium chloride are two.
How old does concrete need to be to be deicing?
Concrete less than 30 days old, even if it's properly designed, poured, cured and sealed, should never have deicing salts spread on it. It's recommended by most deicing salt manufactures to not apply their products to concrete that's less than 1 year old.
What happens if you don't remove the melted snow and ice from the concrete?
If you don't remove the melted (slushy) mixture of snow and ice from the surface of the concrete, this is what can start to cause damage. Concrete is very porous, it will absorb some of the brine solution if it isn't properly sealed.
Do deicing salts hurt concrete?
The truth is, concrete deicers don't really harm the concrete, it's what the deicing salts do to the snow and ice that potentially harms the concrete. Improperly poured, cured, and sealed concrete is susceptible to freeze and thaw damage. When you put deicing salts on concrete to melt snow and ice, the deicing salts change ...
Can you use chlorides in concrete?
If you're not sure your concrete has rebar or wire in it, then avoid using concrete de-icers with chlorides in them. Concrete deicers are a good way to clear the snow and ice from the surfaces of concrete walks, driveways, patios, and parking lots if they are used properly.
What can cause concrete to disintegrate?
Common garden fertilizers can contain ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate which can cause concrete disintegration.
What is the best material to use to make concrete skid resistant?
The only safe material to use to make the concrete surface skid resistant is plain sand. Under usual conditions, deicers which contain sodium chloride (common salt) may be used sparingly after the first winter. Never use deicers containing ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate.
What deicer can damage concrete?
Calcium chloride, another common deicer, can attack concrete if a concentrated amount is applied. Magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, and magnesium nitrate have also been found to be damaging to concrete. . Common garden fertilizers can contain ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate which can cause concrete disintegration.
Can you use deicer on a patio?
Use of deicers on your new drive, sidewalk, or patio could be harmful. You wouldn’t use a strong caustic soap to clean your wall-to-wall carpet! Nor would you use acid to clean your kitchen or bathroom fixtures! In fact, you’re pretty careful about how you clean and take care of your home inside.
Why are Deicers Bad?
Ice melters, even ones branded as “safe for concrete”, may be able to get rid of ice to make concrete safe to walk and drive on, but it is at the expense of the concrete’s durability. It takes up to a year for concrete to fully dry out. Deicers are not only made out of chemicals that rapidly disintegrate concrete, but it also generates water that soaks into the concrete, freezes, then expands which results in a variety of concrete issues. After multiple freezing and thawing cycles, concrete can start showing signs of immediate and long-term issues.
What happens to concrete in winter?
During winter, as the temperature rises and falls, concrete absorbs water and then it freezes and expands. This expansion generates pressure that is hard for the concrete to withstand. Deicers force the freeze and thaw cycle to happen less naturally and more often than if the weather just ran its course. This also extends the necessary drying out period of new concrete which results in the potential for more damage down the road.
What chemicals can disintegrate concrete?
Fertilizers often contain ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate which are harmful chemicals that can disintegrate concrete. Avoid using these on our near your concrete during its first year.
What is concrete sealer?
Concrete sealers are applied to a concrete surface to help waterproof it and prevent penetration of water and other harmful substances. They are clear chemical compound liquids that soak into the concrete and form a protective coating to the surface.
What is Liberty Ready Mix?
Talk with one of our concrete experts at Liberty Ready Mix if you’re needing help with a project or more information on concrete protection. With over a decade of experience delivering high-performing ready mix concrete to projects in a variety of industries, Liberty Ready Mix has the technology, staff, and equipment needed to ensure your project’s concrete pour goes smoothly!
What to use for concrete in second winter?
If sand won’t suffice during your concrete’s second winter, then using ordinary sodium chloride (table salt) is the next best option if you are still focused on protecting your concrete. Sodium chloride is not corrosive to concrete, but still should not be used within the first 12 months after a concrete pour.
Can deicers help with popouts?
While a lot of the concrete’s performance relies on the ready mix concrete provider you work with, deicers can also aid in making popouts an issue with your new concrete. During a freeze/thaw cycle, internal swelling of the concrete can result in fragments of the concrete breaking away from the surface, due to breaking from the pressure.
Is Rock Salt Concrete Friendly?
Rock salt is the most common ice melting agent used in the snow removal business. It’s cost-effective, easy to supply, and straightforward to store in bulk. Sodium chloride is the most popular product on the shelves. While its name may make it sound like it’s grown in a lab, it’s the same stuff as plain old table salt. The primary difference between rock salt and table salt is that the sodium chloride used to melt ice is cut into much larger granules.
What Kind of Rock Salt Should I Use on Concrete?
There is one variety of chloride-based deicer that is relatively safe to use on concrete. That product is known as “magn esium chloride” and it’s often marketed as “ice melt” instead of “rock salt”. Either way, just check the packaging to see what the active ingredient is. If the active agent is magnesium chloride, then you have the right stuff for your concrete.
What About Glycol-Based Ice Melts?
Another alternative to sodium-based ice melts use glycol for their ice melting properties. There are two common varieties of glycol-based agents and they differ wildly in their chemical composition as well as their effect on your property.
Is There a Truly Concrete-Safe Snow Removal Solution?
Every concrete-safe snow and ice removal solution comes with its caveats. However, if you use these products sparingly and understand their chemical makeup and the effect they have on the environment, then you can make an informed decision on which product is best for your needs.
What is the safest ice melting agent?
The safest ice melting agents on the market use urea as their active agent. You may have heard of that chemical—it’s a substance produced in the kidneys of most animals. It’s also a product of ammonia. While it may seem odd to use, the substance works wonders on snow and ice. Best of all, there’s no chloride whatsoever in its composition, so it’s friendly for your concrete and the environment. Urea-based is not corrosive, although it can kill your lawn if overused.
Is ethylene glycol safe for airplanes?
It’s an extremely effective ice melting agent and the very same stuff that goes into the antifreeze in your car. While ethylene has a minimal effect on your concrete , it’s a sweet tasting, highly toxic solution that might be best relegated to aircrafts rather than your front porch.
Is salt bad for plants?
Any kind of salt is terrible for plants and trees, so the more of it that washes away, the better for your clients’ landscaping, walkway, and porch. However, even magnesium chloride will give you problems if used too freely. Only use just enough to cover the ice or snow and don’t overdo it. As innocent as salt may seem, it’s a corrosive substance that you don’t want to blanket your clients’ property with.
Why Calcium Chloride is Safe for Concrete?
This deicer is much less harmful to the structural integrity of concrete because it has a practical working temperature that is much lower than that of sodium chloride (rock salt).
Why is chloride corrosive?
When it comes into contact with certain materials, it can have a corrosive effect. As chloride-based deicer melts the ice and snow that it comes in contact with , the dissolved ice seeps into the cracks in concrete and asphalt where it may come in contact with reinforced steel or necessary pipework. Chloride reacts with the iron within the metal and causes it to corrode (rust).
What temperature does calcium chloride work at?
Calcium chloride pellets can work right down to a temperature of -25°F (-31.67°C). As a result, not only will you benefit from the fact that the product continues to work at such low temperatures, but it will also prevent most freeze-thaw cycles from taking place. Very rarely will overnight temperatures plummet below -25°F, which limits the number of times the ice will expand and exert pressure on your concrete driveways and walkways.
Why is calcium chloride negative?
This chemical feature is a negative attribute of rock salt because of its much higher practical working temperature.
How much of the ions in rock salt are in chloride?
In a conventional rock salt compound, chloride can make up as much as 60% of the ions. The chloride makes its way into ecosystems through the runoff from rain, melting snow and ice, and through the splash and spray of vehicles driving on treated road surfaces. The more rock salt that is applied, the worse for the environment, so it makes sense to invest in alternative ice melt products that require you to use a lot less chloride.
Why does ice melt in winter?
When temperatures begin to rise again, the expanding ice exerts internal and upward pressure that causes it to crack, flake, and splinter. This process is known as "spalling" as poses a genuine threat to the integrity of your concrete surfaces.
What happens when a pellet contacts water?
That is to say, when a pellet contacts water, the subsequent chemical reaction generates and expels heat. Such are its heat-generating characteristics; if you dropped a pound of calcium chloride in a gallon of water, it would increase the temperature by as much as 30°F.
How do deicers damage concrete?
The most common way that deicers attack concrete is by increasing the amount of damage caused by freezing and thawing. Concrete is a porous material and it generally contains water in the pores at the surface, and when water freezes, it expands. Its expanding water exerts pressure and stress on the surrounding concrete matrix and it can damage it. Now it turns out that if the only thing that is present is water, concrete is able to withstand that stress pretty well, but if deicing chemicals are dissolved in the water in the pores, it increases the amount of stress that occurs when that water freezes and it can result in cracking/scaling/spalling of the surface, exposure of the aggregate and ultimately to breaking that concrete down. This is a process that we call freeze-thaw scaling.
How does rebar corrosion affect concrete?
Chemical reactions between deicers and concrete and rebar corrosion are less common outcomes from deicing. When rebar corrodes the iron in the steel is getting converted to iron oxide. It is absorbing oxygen and as it creates this new compound of iron oxide, it is expanding, and because that rebar is encased in concrete, there is very little room to accommodate that expanding reaction product. So, as that rust layer grows, it starts to exert pressure on the concrete matrix and it will break it and crack it over time. The rebar corrosion effects on concrete durability is really an indirect effect of deicers.
Can deicers cause concrete to freeze?
So we know that properly produced, finished and cured concrete is very resistant to freeze-thaw damage by deicers; however, if the concrete is of marginal quality, if it is not properly air entrained or it has not been given enough time to cure, deicers can cause damage to concrete.
