How To Treat Concrete Damaged By An Ice Melt?

Every winter, thousands of tonnes of ice-melting materials are applied to sidewalks, roads, and steps, frequently without consideration for correct application processes or the composition of the deicing substance. Deicing products used carelessly can harm both the home and the environment. Hence, it becomes vital to use an ice melt safe for pets and grass while being gentle on concrete.

Overuse of some deicers can hasten the freeze-thaw cycles that degrade concrete, shortening the life of a sidewalk or driveway by years. Some deicers corrode metal, causing automobile and aluminum siding damage. Many types of ice melt contain chemicals that might harm plants and bushes near the deicer’s application site. 

Why Do We Need Ice Melt Safe For Pets And Grass?

Salt-based ice melting products have sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Both of these components heat up when exposed to ice and snow. As a result, it endangers dogs for various reasons. For example, it can burn their skin, irritate their eyes, and create gastritis, digestive problems, or kidney damage. 

Deicing salts contain chloride, the most poisonous ion that causes much of the direct plant tissue damage. In addition, plant roots have difficulty absorbing water when salt builds up in the soil. A safe, salt-free ice will not damage your plants, pets, and concrete as well.

Pet Friendly Ice Melt

Types Of Ice Melts And Their Side-Effects

An ice melt works by decreasing the freezing point of water and preventing further ice formation. Unfortunately, most ice melters contain salt that can harm concrete. Furthermore, they might create stains and harm to the flooring. 

Ice melts are mainly composed of calcium, potassium, and magnesium chloride salts. The melt-off from these salts has the potential to compromise the structural integrity of a concrete surface. As a result, the concrete surface spalls or flakes. Furthermore, salts such as calcium chloride and potassium chloride can harm plant roots.

In essence, the ice melt absorbs moisture to produce a brine solution. This process generates heat, which dissolves the ice particles’ link with the concrete surface. As a result, a high-quality, safe ice melt will work in temperatures well below freezing and will protect your concrete surface from damage. 

Treating Your Damaged Concrete

Let’s talk about how to mend driveways and sidewalks during winter. In this article, we’ll be discussing concrete damage prevention and how to handle the problems that come with using chemical ice melts.

How To Prevent Damages On Your Concretes: Ice Melt Tips

Don’t Use Chemical Deicers On New Concrete: If a year has not passed after constructing your concrete, do not use any type of deicer chemicals. Fresh concrete takes some time before it dries up completely; therefore, applying deicers early enough could result in surface damage or hastened crumbling. Instead, you may want to consider non-chemical methods like using sand for traction.

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Effective Tips For Ice Melt Application

Do a Pre-application before Snowfall: 

Even before snow starts collecting, pre-applying a de-icing product that is made specifically for concrete is recommended. This makes sure that ice does not bond very tightly to the surface thus facilitating its removal later on without having to use harsh chemicals.

Remove Snow Before Applying It: 

Always remove snow before applying ice melt. It will help the product make contact with the ice reducing both cost and usage amount by focusing on where it is really required.

Use Sparingly: 

Care should be taken when using ice melt as overuse can cause harm. Using this compound in excess may lead to environmental degradation as well as a reduction in the strength of concrete due to chemical runoff. Measure your ice melter according to the manufacturer’s instructions so as not to exceed what’s needed.

Choosing The Correct Ice Melt:

Nevertheless, chemical ice melts like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride have become popular owing to their solubility. However, they can even hasten freeze-thaw cycles which are a major cause of concrete damage. Even though these substances melt fast, they also tend to leave later scaling and cracking on concrete surfaces. Lastly, they may corrode metal fixtures or destroy surrounding vegetation.

Many believe that the best ice melt for concrete is Safe Paw, which is true. It is a pet-friendly deicer which can be used on concrete without causing any harm to it as it is safe for concrete. We do not recommend using Safe Paw or any other ice melt on concrete younger than 12 months. Safe Paw is not like normal salts that lead to surface and under-surface damage. It’s formularized in such a way that protecting as it melts making it ideal for homes with an emphasis on both health and caring for the environment.

It is crucial that you remember good winter safety involves not only choosing the right products but also using them properly so as to safeguard your cement structures from long-term destruction and wearout.

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.

Dry mop the same areas with a flat microfiber mop to remove any remaining dry ice melt crystals. Mop using a dampened mop and a sufficiently diluted, neutral pH ice melt residue remover. If necessary, rinse the floor with clean water. 

To hide old concrete damage, you can pour new concrete on top. However, unresolved concerns with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not addressed. 

If you have dimples or shallow cracks in the exterior of your concrete, the best solution is to apply concrete repair. However, there may be some color variation. 

Conclusion

Safe Paw Ice Melter is not like other ice melting products that use salt. It is eco-friendly, having received the PTPA Green Product Seal, and is utilized in various animal-related enterprises. Even though it is available in multiple sizes and Safe Paw ice melter 35 lbs/pail is one of the preferred choices among

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