Best Ice Melt For Hardscape In Virginia

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts that in Virginia, the winter temperatures will be above normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid-December and early and mid-January. Precipitation will be near normal, with mostly below-normal snowfall. The snowiest periods will occur in mid-December and early March.

Winter is here, and with winter comes an old friend, snowfall.

Pet Safe Ice Melt

Whether it’s a light frost or a hard hit of an ice storm, such events can damage your hardscape.

So, how do you choose the best ice melt for your hardscape?

Here is a comparison of various ice melt and a mini-guide to choosing the best one for your hardscape.

For the convenience of our understanding, we can divide ice melt into three major types-

1. Rock Salt –

Many ice melt like Green Gobbler, Safe Step, and Paw Thaw have rock salt as a major ingredient. Salt-based ice melts can wreak significant damage to the otherwise highly durable and super strong concrete and asphalt driveways.

When the salt comes in contact with water, it percolates into the crevices, forming a solution called brine. As the temperature increases and decreases, the freeze-thaw cycles of the absorbed water damages the surface resulting in cracks.

In short, rock salt accelerates the deterioration caused by winter’s freeze-thaw cycles and shortens the lifespan of your concrete pavements. So, if you’re looking for an ice melt that is safe for pets and concrete, then it is certainly not the option.

2. Chemical-Based Ice Melt –

Calcium Chloride –

Ice melt like Snow Joe has Calcium chloride as the main ingredient. Calcium chloride not only makes the surface slippery but is one of the most dangerous chemicals that you can use on your driveway.

Magnesium Chloride –

Brands like Uline Ice melt and Safe Step Ice melt uses have magnesium chloride in their blend. In a study, it was found that solutions of magnesium chloride of 2 percent concentration and upwards produce a gradual diminution in the strength of portland cement mortars. 

Calcium Magnesium Acetate –

The Only Pet Safe Ice Melt and Paw Thaw have Calcium magnesium acetate or CMA as the main ingredient. CMA is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid. CMA does not form brine like salts and works by preventing snow particles from sticking to each other on the surface. However, it becomes less effective as temperatures dip to less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s slightly less corrosive but 30 times costlier than rock salt.

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3. Chemical Free Ice Melt –

Safe Paw is the only ice melt without chlorine, acetate, or salt in its blend. 

It is considered one of the best ice melt for concrete because it is non-toxic, pet-friendly, and non-corrosive. It also acts as pre-treatment and can prevent ice from sticking to surfaces for up to three days, making it easy to clear the snow later.

If you’re looking for the best ice melt for concrete, then your search ends here as it’s safe and in fact, extend its lifespan. It keeps melted ice in a liquid state for a longer duration. It means that ice melt will not refreeze or as often, thus preventing the freeze-thaw cycle.

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