Do NOT Use Ice Melt On New Concrete, And Here’s Why!

Concrete surfaces require excellent care, and if you are using a chloride-based ice melt, you have to be doubly sure. With every winter, snow and ice removal becomes a problem. Besides using ice melt and other snow removal equipment, your sidewalks, driveways, and streets are covered with snow, making it difficult to walk. Different snow-melt products cover the roads to curb any mishap and make it safe to walk on concrete. Hence, the biggest question you need to answer is—how to melt ice without salt or any chloride-based ice melt?

Why You Should Not Use Ice Melt On New Concrete? 

1. New concrete acts as a sponge to any external factors, including moisture and ice melters. 

2. New concrete cannot withstand the effect of ice melts or deicers. When the ice melts, it seeps inside new concrete, and the water refreezes as the temperature drops. The constant freeze/thaw cycle disrupts the way concrete settles. 

3. Constant freeze/thaw cycle weakens the concrete layers and exposes them to more damage. As the concrete cannot withstand further pressure, it begins to flake or peel. The water expands inside the new concrete and causes tiny pores and cracks. 

4. New concrete takes up to a year to settle and hence is not advisable to use any ice melt, even if it is eco-friendly. For example, any calcium chloride-based ice melter generates more heat because of a chemical reaction with water, thus creating heat pockets. Hence, experts advise not using any intense ice melt to remove the extra layer of 

5. Another reason why you shouldn’t use ice melt for new concrete is because of popouts. Popouts are caused if the ready-mix concrete provider you work with is not good quality. In addition, the internal swelling of the concrete can result in fragments of concrete breaking away from the surface due to pressure. 

The underlying reasons circle back to one thing—new concrete is prone to damage from ice melt due to the extensive heat generated from each of them. 

100% Environment Friendly Ice Melt

Safe Paw is a specifically designed ice melt and traction product, an all-natural ice melt product safe for concrete. It comprises zero salt and chloride but a modified crystalline amide center, with traction agents interspersed with a glycol mixture. 

Once it touches the icy surface, it instantly begins acting as the liquid component starts melting ice immediately while breaking the surface tension. In addition, the crystal-core penetrates and destabilizes ice, thus speeding the melting process.

Caution—While it does not harm the environment, you must avoid using it on new concrete or concrete less than a year old. It will not affect its stability; however, it might interfere in settling.

Ice Melt Safe for New Concrete

Deciding on what kind of ice melt is safe for new concrete can be daunting. The best ice melt for concrete is one that won’t damage concrete while effectively melting ice. Safe Paw is a concrete safe ice melt that doesn’t cause the common problems of scaling or crumbling, often associated with harsh deicers like rock salt.

Note : One rule you must follow 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.

It is a concrete-safe traction product with seven naturally occurring minerals and volcanic rocks that help form a grip on icy concrete surfaces. It does not corrode concrete, nor does it harm the environment in any way. On the contrary, it is a boon during harsh winters when you have to steer clear of ice melt all together. 

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. Instead of using Safe Paw, you can use Walk On Ice to help you battle winter woes instantly.

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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