I Was Shocked When I Used Safe Paw On My New Concrete

We have come across several feedbacks and positive comments over the past 20 years. However, when people come up to us and tell us they have found their perfect ice melt safe for concrete, nothing compares to that review. We recently spoke with one of our customers, Gina, and she was thrilled to tell her story. 

‘We moved to Michigan nearly a year ago. With winters fast approaching, we were not sure how to get ourselves prepped with the right ice melt products or snow removal equipment, all the while keeping our pets’ safety on top of our minds. So is magnesium chloride safe for pets is one of the top questions playing on my mind. 

Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt: A Popular Option

Magnesium chloride ice melt is frequently chosen because it is effective at lower temperatures (down to -13°F) and is often considered less harmful to concrete than traditional rock salt. However, while it’s more gentle on surfaces, it is still a chloride, which means it can contribute to concrete damage over time, especially when used in excess. For this reason, it’s vital to be mindful of the freeze-thaw cycle, where water seeps into the concrete, freezes, and expands, leading to cracks and surface scaling.

Another plus for magnesium chloride is its reputation for being relatively safer for pets, but it’s not without risks. Pets can still experience irritation or even digestive issues if they come into contact with it. For those with pets, opting for a pet-friendly ice melt like Safe Paw or similar alternatives may be a better solution.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): An Eco-Friendly Choice?

Calcium magnesium acetate is often praised for being a more environmentally conscious choice. It’s a combination of calcium and magnesium salts bound to acetic acid, which makes it less corrosive and less damaging to concrete compared to traditional chlorides. It works by preventing ice from bonding to surfaces rather than directly melting the ice. While this may mean that CMA is effective at reducing concrete damage, it doesn’t melt ice as quickly as some of the more aggressive chemicals, like magnesium chloride or potassium chloride.

Potassium Chloride: Gentle but Limited

Potassium chloride is another alternative often viewed as safer for pets and the environment. However, its effectiveness is limited when temperatures drop below 15°F, making it less practical for colder climates. Additionally, like magnesium chloride ice melt, it can still contribute to concrete damage over time if used frequently.

Because of its mild effect, potassium chloride can be used in combination with other de-icing agents for those looking to prioritize concrete safe ice melt without sacrificing too much in terms of effectiveness. However, if you’re primarily concerned with preventing long-term damage, you might want to explore alternatives like Calcium magnesium acetate or opt for no ice melt at all during the first year of new concrete installation.

Tips for Applying Ice Melt Safely

Regardless of the type of ice melt you choose, safe application practices are key to minimizing damage and protecting your surfaces. Here are some quick tips:

1. Use sparingly: Over-application of any ice melt product can lead to surface damage, especially for concrete. Spread a thin, even layer and only reapply as needed.
2. Shovel first: Always remove as much snow as possible before applying ice melt. This reduces the amount needed and helps protect against chemical build-up.
3. Avoid new concrete: As mentioned, do not use any ice melt products, including Safe Paw, on new concrete that is less than 12 months old. This is when the concrete is most vulnerable to damage from the freeze-thaw cycle.
4. Rinse off surfaces: After winter, thoroughly clean your driveway or walkways to remove any residue from ice melt products to avoid long-term concrete damage.

When selecting the best ice melt for new concrete, it’s important to weigh the benefits and potential risks of each product. For both pet safety and concrete protection, non-corrosive, pet-friendly ice melts like Safe Paw offer a safer alternative to more traditional products.

Since our move, we interacted with several neighbors and visited local hardware and Petco stores to check reviews of different ice melt products. From reading online to connecting with our immediate neighbors, we found a general inclination towards Safe Paw. Therefore, we studied the effect online and called for a demo as well. 

Ice Melt For New Concrete

We must say, we haven’t been happier to find our perfect ice melt safe for concrete. We would like to share our experience using Safe Paw ice melt so far- 

• It is readily available at our nearest home depot store. 
• It is cost-effective, making it easy for us to budget our winter product storage and usage. 
• Safe Paw has all the ingredients listed carefully behind the jar and clearly outlines usage or quantity too. 
• We noticed that once we spread it, it melted the ice in a matter of minutes. 
• Our pet dog has constantly developed a rash or burnt his paws with other harsh ice melt products. We kept him indoors or made him wear paw socks before stepping out. But with Safe Paw, it was much easier to take him out. 
• His paws did not cut or burn when he stepped out, relaxing our nerves to take him out for a stroll when needed. 
• Unlike other ice melt products, we also noticed that this did not stain our wooden patio or our carpets. Since it does not leave behind any residue, it did not damage our concrete surface either. 
• After the pail got empty, we could easily recycle it for other requirements. 

We have used this product last winter season, and we’re super happy with the result. We recommend this to all our friends and family.’ 

Conclusion 

We value all our customers, and their feedbacks reassure us to diversify our product line to suit different requirements. The above review is close to our heart because it was the first time Gina used the product.

We understand your predicament ‘is magnesium chloride safe for pets‘ or ‘can we mix rock salt with Safe Paw’, etc. However, we never advise you to use Safe Paw and any other product as you will not be able to judge the outcome. 

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.

If you are still contemplating purchasing Safe Paw, walk into the nearest Home Depot store today! 

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