Type Of Ice Melt You SHOULD NOT Use On Roofs

Are you winter-ready this year? You must be looking for a good ice melt that does not harm your property, particularly your roof. If so, you’re in the right place.

You see, icicles look beautiful, but they could pose a considerable problem such as:

• breaking your shingles, causing a leak in your home.
• blocking your gutter and roof system.
• causing a fungus accumulation in areas around the shingles or the chimney.

Moreover, breaking an icicle may suddenly injure someone walking below. And these are only some of the problems. There can be several other problems that may trouble you. Therefore, you must invest in a good ice melt for roof.

Find Out The Different Types Of Ice Melter For Roof:

1. Sodium Chloride Or Rock Salt Or Halite

The most common type of deicing salt is Sodium Chloride. It is also known as Rock salt and comprises irregularly shaped crystals. Since they are relatively inexpensive, they are the most preferred type of deicing salts.

However, they work up to only 20 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. They can damage the freeze-induced expansion and contraction of the tiles and roof shingles. In addition, they are pretty toxic to the vegetation around and leave a whitish residue on the driveways and foliage when it dries off. It makes your surroundings look very untidy.

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2. Magnesium Chloride

It is less irritating to skin, animals, vegetation, environment, concrete, metal, etc. However, it works down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit only. Anything beyond that or closer to zero degrees will cause the roof shingles and concrete to expand and contract, damaging it and making it an expensive affair for you.

Magnesium chloride, often praised for its lower operational temperature and less corrosive nature compared to rock salt, still has considerable downsides. It can be more expensive than other salts and still poses risks to pets and plants if not used carefully. Overexposure to this compound can lead to irritation of pet paws and skin, and when it leaches into the soil, it can harm the surrounding vegetation by altering soil composition and potentially contaminating local waterways.

Ice Melt For Roof

3- Calcium Chloride

They melt the ice quickly; however, they are not entirely safe for the vegetation, roofs, and concrete. In addition, they are exothermic and can cause cracks on the roof or around the chimney if there is a temperature variation.

4- Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)

As for calcium magnesium acetate, it’s often marketed as a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to rock salt. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. The effectiveness of CMA depends heavily on application rates and environmental conditions, which can result in inconsistent performance. It’s also one of the more expensive deicing options, which may not make it the best choice for all consumers. Like magnesium chloride, it can still impact the environment if overused, contributing to nutrient imbalances in nearby ecosystems.

5- Home Made

People look for homemade ice melt for roofs. They believe they are good and can be used for roofs as well. However, alternatives like alcohol, beetroot juice, rubbing alcohol, etc. are least effective and leave a stain and messy residue behind.

6- Chloride-Free Ice Melt

Safe Paw is one brand that can help you safely de-ice your roofs without causing them any damage. It is 100% salt-free and chloride-free, making it safe for the environment, your roofs, and your home in general.

This eco-friendly snow and ice melt is safe for use and does not affect the environment negatively, and can be used even when there are plants.

It contains a traction agent that prevents falls and ensures there are no slips.

It preserves and protects your roof. By knowing and understanding your roof; Safe Paw is designed to protect floors and roof surfaces. It is the best product to use so as not to destroy your roof.

Environmental Friendly Ice Melt Options

When considering environmentally friendly ice melt options, it’s crucial to weigh their efficacy against their impact. While these alternatives are better than traditional methods, they still require careful management to avoid environmental damage. For example, improper use of even the most eco-friendly deicers can lead to increased salinity in waterways and soil, disrupting aquatic life and potentially harming water quality.

Roof Deicing Systems

While roof deicing systems are designed to prevent ice dams and the accumulation of snow, they can lead to unforeseen issues. These systems often involve significant installation costs and can be energy-intensive, leading to higher electricity bills. Moreover, the constant heating can cause wear and tear on roofing materials over time, potentially shortening the lifespan of your roof. There’s also the environmental impact to consider, as the energy used may contribute to carbon emissions unless sourced from renewable energy.

Geothermal Tail Water

Exploring innovative heating solutions like geothermal tail water systems can also be beneficial. These systems use the residual water from geothermal heating processes to melt ice on driveways and sidewalks. This method is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, utilizing the constant temperature of geothermal water to keep surfaces clear without additional energy costs.

Roof deicing systems have evolved significantly, and keeping up with the market analysis shows that more homeowners are opting for sustainable and efficient methods to combat winter’s challenges. Understanding the size, share, and growth of these systems can help in making informed decisions that align with both safety and environmental sustainability.

Choosing the right products for winter safety and maintenance involves a balance between effectiveness, cost, environmental impact, and safety for pets and property. While alternatives like magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate offer benefits, they also come with notable limitations. This makes products like Safe Paw, which are designed to be safe for pets, children, and all types of concrete, an appealing choice for those looking to minimize negative impacts while effectively managing winter conditions.

Thus, avoid using an ice melt that contains Chloride in any form- be it Magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or sodium chloride. Choose a safer alternative with natural ingredients because your roof deserves equal care as any other part of your property.

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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