What to know about concrete friendly ice melt?
- Pet Safe Ice Melt - 100% Magnesium Chloride formula won't burn or irritate pets' paws and comes in a round pellet form with no jagged crystals
- Works Immediately - Deicer instantly melts ice on driveways, sidewalks, steps, balconies, patios, walkways, roadways and more
- Effective at Low Temps - Works at temperatures down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit
What is the most effective substance to melt ice?
What melts ice the fastest home remedy?
- /3 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup warm water.
- tablespoon of dish detergent, 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of warm water.
- Kitty litter.
What should you use for melting ice on concrete?
The Dos And Don’ts Of Using Ice Melt:
- You should use ice melt as per the instructions on the cover or the jar. ...
- Use a spreader along with the Safe Paw ice melter 35 lbs/pail concentrate to spread it evenly on any surface.
- Do not overspread any ice melt pellets, granules, or liquid ice melt. ...
What is the least corrosive ice melt?
One of the least corrosive ice melts would be Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) . If you have concrete or iron surfaces you would like to preserve from the harsh effects of chloride-based ice melts, this is a great option. It works down to -15°and cuts through ice really well.
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 type of ice melt is safe for new concrete?
Exothermic heat of up to 60 degrees Celsius is generated during the dissolving process. This heat melts the ice and snow quickly, converting them to water. It is significantly more expensive and can corrode your new concrete while leaving behind a mess. Magnesium chloride can be used safely in thickly vegetated areas.
What kind of salt does not damage 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 new concrete?
Fortunately, there are alternatives that can mitigate these problems.Calcium Magnesium Acetate.Sand or Kitty Litter.Sugar Beet Juice/Brine.Coffee Grounds.Alfalfa Meal.Heated Mats.
Is calcium chloride safe to use on new concrete?
Avoid any deicing chemicals during the first winter Common deicer chemicals that have been found to damage concrete include: Ammonium sulfate. Ammonium nitrate. Calcium chloride.
How do you melt ice on concrete without 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 snow melt ruin concrete?
Snow or ice melts can come in three different forms: pellets, granules, and liquid. The fact is, all of these contain chemicals that can cause damage to the concrete and plant life when incorrectly used. Moreover, they can also cause stains and damage the flooring.
Is Morton Safe T salt safe for concrete?
Morton® Safe-T-Plus®: Formulated to be gentler on concrete surfaces and plants than rock salt, this ice melter can also reduce corrosion by 14 percent compared to plain salt.
Use safer deicing chemicals
Instead of resorting to rock salt, you can choose from a wide array of commercial ice melt products that are less corrosive and safer for the environment. Because most deicing chemicals increase freeze-thaw cycling (which can lead to spalling ), you should avoid using deicers on concrete the first winter after it’s placed.
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.
Install a heated driveway
Before installing a new concrete driveway or sidewalk, consider investing in an in-slab electric or hydronic heating system, which can eliminate the buildup of ice and snow and the need for deicing chemicals.
Lay down snow-melting mats
For existing concrete pavements, a good alternative to an in-slab heating system is to lay down snow-melting mats that plug into a standard 120-volt outlet. These systems come in various sizes to heat concrete stairs, walkways, entrances, or the wheel paths of a driveway.
Seal your concrete against moisture and salt intrusion
Even if you don’t apply harmful deicing salts to your concrete driveway, it can be exposed to deicers used by road snow-removal crews if the snow is plowed onto the apron of your driveway or clings to the underside of your car.
What if my concrete already has salt damage?
Over time, salt can damage concrete and lead to discoloration, cracking or a crumbling surface. Depending on how severe the damage is, you may be able to fix your concrete. There are a variety of concrete repair options, as well as concrete resurfacing to create a fresh, new surface.
Ice Melt Safe For New Concrete
Redoing concrete is expensive, so it wouldn’t make sense to solve the ice problem while creating another in the process.
What Is An Ice Melt For Concrete And How Is It Different From Rock Salt?
Ice melts are crystal-like granules that can be used to melt ice and snow.
Why Use Ice Melter To Remove Snow From Concrete
There are many ways to get rid of ice on concrete. Shoveling is one of them, but as you can imagine, that would take time and energy.
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.
Best Ice Melt Products For Your Concrete
Now that you understand what ice melts are and how much stress they can save you, let us take a look at the ones that are safe to use on your concrete.
Other Options For Keeping Your Concrete Clear During The Winter
Besides the regular ice melts, there are other options for safely keeping your concrete free of ice during the winter season.
What is the best solution for melting ice?
Capable of melting ice when the ambient temperature is as low as -25°F, calcium chloride is the best solution in extreme weather conditions. Miniature figures working posed as if in a salt mine. Calcium chloride is fast-acting, forming a brine quicker than most similar ice melts. This means quicker deicing.
What is ice melt?
Generally, ice melt is a hygroscopic chemical compound. This means that these chemicals absorb moisture and then dissolve, raising the temperature and causing the ice to melt. After discussing safe deicers for concrete, I’ll give a more detailed analysis on how various types of ice melt chemicals work.
What is the most common product used to melt ice?
The most common hygroscopic ice melt products are rock salt, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride. Products like calcium magnesium chloride, prevent ice particles from sticking to one another.
How much does calcium chloride ice melt cost?
You can expect top price in the region of $18 for a 50-pound bag of calcium chloride ice melt, depending on the brand.
What to use for pock marks on concrete?
If you’re getting pock marks on your concrete driveway, you’re probably using an ice melt that’s not safe for concrete. There are several ice melt products that are safe for concrete — the most popular (and most effective) being Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, and Calcium Magnesium Acetate. If you’ve been using rock salt or potassium ...
How hot does calcium chloride melt?
So it absorbs water and then generates heat as it dissolves, up to 140°F. Typically, a pound of calcium chloride will heat a gallon of water by about 30°F or more. Due it’s exceptional exothermic properties, calcium chloride is the most effective concrete-safe deicer for colder climates.
Is calcium magnesium acetate safe for concrete?
Read Report on Calcium Magnesium Acetate – from the Swedish Road and Transport research institute. Seen as the safest for animals, plants, and people, Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) is also safe for concrete. It is mostly made up of acetic acid, and closely resembles vinegar.
What ice melt does not damage concrete?
Studies have found that ice melt formulas that combine solar salt and anti-corrosion agents are less damaging to concrete and vegetation when compared to Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride based ice melters.
Does Ice Melt ruin concrete?
It is not recommend that ice melter be used on damaged concrete. Damaged concrete will absorb the water [melted ice ] more readily since its ‘seal’ has been broken and therefore can be more susceptible to damage. It is best to reseal or treat your damaged concrete as mentioned earlier, before using any ice melter on it.
What is the safest salt to use on concrete?
Sodium chloride (commonly known as rock salt or table salt ) is the safest de-icer for use on concrete.
What kind of salt does not damage 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 is the best ice melt for new concrete?
Good ice melt choices for concrete are Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride. While Potassium Chloride is good for the environment it damages the concrete and typically costs 3-5 times more.
What do I put on new concrete for ice?
Substitute a deicer with sand While keeping your concrete protected is important, so is eliminating slip and fall hazards from ice. Applying plain sand on new concrete can help provide some traction and avoid slippery walks. Sand is the only safe material to make concrete surfaces skid-resistant.
Does calcium chloride ice melt damage concrete?
What’s Best For Concrete As the number of freeze/thaw cycles increases, it can contribute to damage. Independent testing of commonly used deicers has shown that calcium chloride is the least harmful to concrete (excluding Sodium Acetate and Calcium Magnesium Acetate) after 500 freeze/thaw cycles.
What is the best way to keep concrete from getting snow?
Using a snow-melt or ice-melt product is one such method that provides an efficient solution for keeping concrete areas safe and relatively snow-free.
How does snow melt work?
Snow-melt products typically work by attracting water and creating brine, a combination of salt and water. This process generates heat, resulting in melting ice and snow. The following are considered the safest of these products for concrete:
What is CMA concrete?
CMA is such a great choice for concrete that it’s actually meant for use with newer surfaces less than two years old and is effective down to temperatures of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes in very small granules, making it possible to cover large areas with a small amount.
What causes cracking in concrete?
As well, one of the most commonly used de-icers, rock salt, damages concrete by increasing water absorption, which, because of the freeze-thaw cycle, causes cracking and damage, or “spalling,” to its surface.
Is it safe to remove snow from concrete?
While there are a lot of options for keeping concrete clear during the snow season, these are considered the safest ones for preserving its quality and integrity. Of course, there are other safe options for snow removal from concrete, including “green” alternatives and other non-chem ical choices such as mechanic al removal; traction-boosting agents;
Does brine work on concrete?
Unlike the other products mentioned, this product does not work by forming a brine. Rather, it prevents snow particles from adhering to one another on concrete surfaces. Partly, it consists of acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, and is safe for plants and animals. It’s also used as an additive to other snow melts to improve their safety.
Is calcium chloride safe for concrete?
This option is also considered one of the best and safest products for concrete. It’s not effective at as low a temperature as calcium chloride, but it isn’t considered corrosive and can be safely used around plants and landscaping.
Is it OK to put ice melt on new concrete?
With winter comes snow and ice removal. Besides shoveling or using a snowblower, many sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and streets are covered in chemical deicers to melt ice and snow and make concrete safer. However, using deicers on your new concrete could end up severely harming it.
How do you melt ice without damaging concrete?
Rock salt and other salt-containing deicers will melt snow and ice and, as with concrete, encourage water to seep in through surface pores. The freeze-thaw cycle takes over from there, and as asphalt is rather brittle in the winter time, the damage can be quite significant.
What kind of salt can you use on new concrete?
Sodium chloride (commonly known as rock salt or table salt) is the safest de-icer for use on concrete.
Does Ice Melt damage concrete?
It is not recommend that ice melter be used on damaged concrete. Damaged concrete will absorb the water [melted ice] more readily since its ‘seal’ has been broken and therefore can be more susceptible to damage. It is best to reseal or treat your damaged concrete as mentioned earlier, before using any ice melter on it.
Is safe step safe for concrete?
Salt-free, fast-acting Sure Paws is gentler on pet paws and skin,* and clears driveways and walkways quickly and efficiently. This premium ice melter was developed using a patented formula, and is also gentler on concrete and vegetation when used as directed.
Does Alaskan ice melt damage concrete?
Do ice melters affect concrete? Most concrete damage is a result of the natural effects of freeze/thaw cycles, not a chemical attack by an ice melter.
What is the best ice melt for asphalt?
Calcium Chloride Crystals, Flakes or Pellets – Calcium chloride is one of the most popular ice melting materials on the market, and it is available in crystal, flake or pellet form.
Why Should You Not Use Ice Melt On New Concrete?
1. New concrete acts as a sponge to any external factors, including moisture and ice melters.
Safe Paw
The Original and the #1 Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands.
What Is An Alternative To Ice Melt?
You must follow one rule with new concrete—never apply ice melt of any kind on new concrete less than 12 months old. You must test it first on stamped and unsealed concrete before proceeding with an ice melt. However, if you have just got a concrete driveway made, you can use Walk On Ice as an alternative.
Conclusion
While we recommend not using ice melt for new concrete, you can keep traction products such as Walk On Ice handy. It is easy to carry and can fit anywhere. Since it is not an ice melt, it will not interfere with the composition of new concrete and will only build traction to walk.
Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
Safe Thaw
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.