5 Points To Remember Before Applying Ice Melt On A Steep Driveway

It’s not just a matter of sprinkling salt or ice melt all over your driveway – that may not be enough. It’s a science, after all. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your driveway’s salt or ice melter products:

1-Get Rid Of All The Snow.

Although this may seem self-evident, many people are unaware of how critical it is to remove all snow before beginning the deicing process.

2-Use Ice Melter Products Consistently And Efficiently.

Make life easier for yourself and use one of those wheeled or handheld spreaders. It evenly coats the ground with salt or ice melt and takes less time than manually salting your driveway. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly after each use. You’ll have to throw salt or ice melt around your driveway by hand if you don’t have a spreader. Instead, you can use a cup. Make certain you’re wearing gloves. 

3-Make Sure it’s Evenly Distributed.

If you make a mistake and put too much salt in one spot, spread it out with a broom or water. It’s important to remember that snow does not melt ice. The boiling point of water is lowered by snow. Because most ice has a thin layer of water on it, the salt reacts with the water, causing a chain reaction that helps the ice melt even in colder temperatures. 

Ice Melt For Driveway

4- Don’t Use A Toxic Ice Melt On Your Driveway.

The thawing/freezing process can damage concrete, especially if exposed to too much salt or ice melt. Avoid using salt or ice melt if your concrete is less than a year old. It has the potential to weaken the concrete and make it more vulnerable to future damage. Use sand, kitty litter, or sawdust to add traction to your driveway if this is the case. Too much salt or ice melt can also damage other surfaces. Avoid getting any on your lawn or plants. Before you go out and deice your driveway, make sure you read and follow the directions on whatever type of salt or ice melt you’re using.

5-Make Sure Your Loved Ones Are Safe.

Wise homeowners aren’t spreading ice melt because they know it has a high risk of damaging their expensive investment or, worse, poisoning people and pets. Any chloride-containing substance, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or calcium chloride, should never be used on new concrete. By widening the pore size and allowing water to pass through, these slightly acidic compounds degrade the paste that holds concrete together.

The frequency of freeze-thaw cycles increases when salt penetrates the pore structure, causing concrete damage. They can cause corrosion of reinforcing steel because they quickly penetrate the thin, protective iron oxide layer and start the corrosive reaction. As a result, this is not a driveway salt that is safe to use.

Summing Up

Does ice melt damage concrete? Yes, A natural salt-free ice melt is the safest option for your driveway and walkway. Safe Paw is the best ice melt in the market. Safe Paw does have a patented outer layer that liquefies on contact with the ice surface and melts it quickly.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

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