Salting Your Pavement/ Driveway? READ THIS

Salt doesn’t just damage the environment; it can also harm your driveway. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, salt for snow causes concrete to absorb moisture and deteriorate, which in turn damages your pavement. In addition, salt corrodes metals such as car frames, supports, and brake lines. 

In this article, we will reveal the damages salt can cause and what you should use instead.

Using Salt For Snow Damages Concrete

If your driveway or sidewalk is made of concrete, you might want to think twice before salting it in the winter. Salt is corrosive and can damage concrete over time by corroding and dissolving the concrete. It can also cause cracks and flaking, which may lead to crumbling.

Salt Damages Vehicle

It’s a common misconception that salting your roads and driveways is good for your vehicle. The truth is, using salt for snow can damage your car over time. Not only does it cause rust to form on the undercarriage of your car, but also ruins its paint job and bodywork. It’s best to wait until the road has thawed before driving on it to avoid the risk of damaging your vehicle.

Today we are going to look at different types of ice melts, their effectiveness and safety in low temperature and family environments.

Types of Ice Melt

1. Calcium Chloride: Calcium chloride is a popular choice because it has quick action and can melt ice even at very low temperatures (-40 degrees Fahrenheit). Its exothermic heat release may cause concrete damage over time and tends to be harsh on vegetation.
2. Magnesium Chloride: Although less corrosive than calcium chloride, magnesium chloride functions well up to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. It is gentler on plants and concrete but still poses some dangers if not carefully used.
3. Sodium Chloride: Also known as rock salt, sodium chloride is the de-icing product that is most affordable but only effective when the temperature drops to 20 degrees F. This is because sodium chloride corrodes metal surfaces and also harms plants.
4. Potassium Chloride: Potassium chloride is less effective in colder temperatures; working down to around 12 degrees Fahrenheit yet it’s safer for pets or humans. Owing to these shortcomings such as high cost relative to other deicers make potassium chloride unpopularity.
5. Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): As an environmentally friendly ice melt, CMA does less damage to metal corrosion while being safer for new concrete as well as for vegetation. By stopping the sticking of ice particles together and with the road surface, CMA stops ice from bonding with the road surface.

Effective Ice Melt for Low Temperatures

When you have those extremely cold days during winter; calcium chloride usually distinguishes itself from others by lowering the water freezing point fast hence speeding up melting processes.

Safe Ice Melt for Pets and Children

For your pets or kids’ sake where you need an ice melter which will not hurt them then opt for products marked specifically pet/child-safe e.g urea urea-based ones among others avoiding harsh chemicals and salt thus reducing the risk of irritation or worse health effects on them.

Ice Melt Application Tips

• Pre-treatment: Applying ice melt before snowfall or a snowstorm can reduce accumulation.
• Spread evenly: Distribute the product uniformly using a spreader to avoid clumping.
• Follow up: Apply again as required and remove slush, so it does not freeze again.

How to Choose Ice Melt

The right ice melt is chosen by taking into account the average temperature in your area; if you have pets or children, as well as environmental concerns around where it will be used.

Ice Melt Safety

Always handle ice melt with care—use gloves and avoid direct contact with skin. Store ice melts in a dry, sealed container to keep it effective and prevent accidental ingestion by pets or children.

By knowing about different kinds of ice melts and how they are used, one can find an ice melting product which would also conform to his eco-values while offering safety. Always try to balance between efficiency and safety for the protection of your dear ones as well as the environment through the icy season.

Best Ice Melt For Concrete

Use Chemical-Free Ice Melt

Using salt for snow is a proven way to melt ice, but it can also damage your pavement. Salt contains chloride, which is corrosive and can cause damage to concrete and metal surfaces. 

The salt will absorb in the concrete and rust steel frames embedded in the concrete slab. It will also corrode any metal parts on vehicles parked on the driveway, including wheel wells and undercarriages of cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Safe Paw is designed specifically to protect all types of exterior surfaces from severe weather conditions such as snow storms or blizzards. During heavy rains, there are high chances that rainwater may seep through cracks in concrete slabs. This causes uneven surfaces with potholes due to excess moisture levels combined with freeze/thaw cycles during the winter months. 

The last thing anyone wants is for their vehicle’s paint job to be destroyed by harsh winter weather conditions—especially if those conditions include a salty roadway! Some people think of using homemade ice melt but they have their cons.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw

Conclusion

Safe Paw is a great choice for homeowners and businesses who care about the environment and want to keep their families, pets, and customers safe from harm. 

With Safe Paw, you can be sure that your driveway or sidewalk will stay free of ice all winter long without damaging concrete surfaces or harming anyone who comes into contact with it. 

Don’t think about it running into water bodies and clogging the drains after melting as it will only act as a fertilizer for your flowers and not harm them. Safe Paw does not leave any residue behind either. 

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.

Other Ice Melt Products

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