How To Melt Ice Without Salt And Other Chemicals?

With the temperature dipping, we start worrying about the snow and its cleaning. We must remove the snow from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and steps to prevent slip and fall accidents. And if you’re a savvy homeowner, then you might be looking for safe ways of removing snow that does not harm your property and pets.

As the winter season starts, the rock salt sales start to skyrocket. And if it’s a very snowy year, we see the prices soaring, stocks running low, and even hoarding policies instituted. However, rock salt is the most damaging solution you can choose. Let’s discuss why. 

Ice Melt Safe For Concrete And Pets

In this article, we will also talk about the environmental impact of ice melt while you’re de-icing your driveway on those cold winter mornings. Let’s dive into what really happens when those salts hit the snow.

The Reality of Ice Melt

When it comes to winter maintenance, clearing ice and snow is essential, right? But have you paused to consider what happens after the ice melts away? The most commonly used ice melts are salts like sodium chloride or calcium chloride, which do more than just melt ice on those frozen surfaces.

How Salts Affect the Environment

1. Water Pollution: First up, let’s talk runoff. When the snow melts, it doesn’t just disappear. It washes away, carrying with it whatever ice melt chemicals you’ve used, straight into our sewers and, eventually, into lakes and rivers. This can lead to heightened salinity levels in bodies of water, which is bad news for aquatic life.
2. Soil Degradation: Ever noticed patches where nothing grows come spring? Salt can seep into the soil, disrupting its ability to hold water and nutrients. This salt accumulation can lead to reduced soil fertility, affecting the health of plants and even your lush garden.
3. Wildlife Impact: It’s not just plants that suffer. Animals, too, can ingest these salts either from the ground or from the water, leading to potential poisoning or other health issues.
4. Corrosive Effects: Aside from natural life, ice melting salts can also have a corrosive effect on man-made materials, speeding up the wear and tear on everything from cars to roadways, and yes, your concrete driveway.

Looking for Alternatives?

With the stark environmental impact of ice melt, it’s worth considering alternatives. Products like Safe Paw and materials like sand or even coffee grounds can provide slip and fall prevention without harmful side effects. Sand and coffee won’t melt the ice, but they’ll give you the traction you need without the environmental headache.

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.

Embracing the Cold

When it comes to snow removal and dealing with cold weather, it’s a balancing act between safety and environmental care. Being aware of the impact can help you make more informed choices—like maybe grabbing a shovel instead of the salt bucket, or choosing more eco-friendly deicing products like Safe Paw.

Why You Should Not Use Salt And Chemicals To Melt Ice?

Let’s start with the pros associated with using salt. It’s easily available, melts the ice, and comes cheap. Looks great superficially. But when you will come to know its after-effects, you will change your opinion. The same goes for a majority of ice melt as they all contain chemicals like Aluminum Chloride, Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Chloride, and Sodium Cyanide.

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Harmful to concrete and roof

Rock salt is essentially sodium chloride. Sodium chloride attacks the metal rebar contained within the concrete when it is soaked-up into the concrete.

It’s corrosive to concrete, asphalt, and bricks as well. Salt traces left on the surface causes stains and streaks. The real problem starts when it gets into the porous concrete and creates holes and cracks that worsen with frequent freeze-thaw cycles. 

Different chemicals contained in ice melt react with concrete and different ways.

Not safe for kids and pets

Another reason you should not use rock salt and other chemicals is it is not safe to use around kids, pets, and plants. Chlorine in salt and chemical-based ice melt is a toxic respiratory irritant and can damage pets’ skin, eyes, and membranes.

So, How To Melt Ice Without Salt And Chemicals?

1- Mechanical removal: For mechanically removing, shoveling is the most popular method used during a light snowfall. Although it’s a safe option, it’s intense and physically demanding. Only a few enjoy this job as it’s strenuous and time-consuming and can be indisputably a pain in the back.

2- Ash: It helps de-ice and melt snow in moderate conditions and also provides traction. However, the heavy metals present in the ash can be damaging to lawns and gardens.

3- Chemical-free icemelt: If you’re someone who writes queries in Google, like ‘ice melter near me’ or ‘no salt ice melt’, then your search ends here.

There is ice melt that is free from chemicals and toxins. They are non-corrosive and do not cause any harm to flora and fauna. You can conveniently use a no-salt ice melt on driveways, pavements, steps, and roof without worrying about the damages. 

4- Sugar Beet Juice: Many people mix beet juice with salt and use it as an ice melt. Although it minimizes the amount of salt required to melt the ice, it leaves red or brown stains.

So, this snow season, let’s pledge not to use salt. A chemical-free, salt-free ice melt is the best way to clear the snow without worrying about the safety of your kids, pets, plants, and environment.

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