The beauty of the winter season lies in the white sheets of snow, the cozy fireplace, and the cup of hot cocoa that gives us respite from the chill in the air. But wait, there’s more. Unfortunately, winter also brings along snow-covered driveways, slippery layers of ice, and the woes of choosing the best salt for ice melting. If only things were much more manageable!
Every year, we hear stories of people meeting with accidents or slipping on the ice because of incorrect ice melt concrete safe products around us. But did you know a minor slip or tripping on ice or snow can cause back and ligament injuries every year? Nearly 17,000 people face the brunt of fatal injuries every year because of no usage of ice snowmelt products or not being careful while stepping out.
According to the CDC, falling on snow and ice injure nearly a million Americans each year, and the number might keep increasing in years to come. However, what can we do to stop this, at least at home?
Ice melting is the process of melting layers of ice and snow on surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, patios, stairs, roads, roofs, etc. With several ice melting product in the market, you have a choice to select the ones based on budget and environmental factors.
Did you know there is a minimum of seven to eight different combinations of ice melt for concrete in the market. These come in liquid and solid form.
Some of the most popular ice melt products in the market, but not necessarily safe, are-
Blue heat ice melt primarily comprises calcium chloride and magnesium with a hint of blue in it.
Then you have purple heat ice melt made by Salt Depot and has a purple dye for controlled application. It is a blend of multiple chlorides such as sodium acetate, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride. These products claim to keep snow from sticking to the driveway, making it easier for you to walk or move your car. However, we advise you to make an informed decision before rushing to buy any ice melt product.
Concrete And Ice
We have all heard several things about concrete and ice, do’s and don’ts, and how to take care of concrete! But why?
Almost everything around us is built using concrete. Now there are two broad categories to divide concrete- New Concrete and Settled Concrete. Many people have asked us ‘can concrete melt’ and how does new concrete differ from settled concrete?
New Concrete, like the term suggests, is freshly poured concrete that takes time to harden. Therefore, new concrete needs much care to avoid repercussions later, such as keeping it adequately moist. However, did you know that it takes nearly 3 to 4 weeks for the concrete to bind together with gravel and sand finally! So, although you need to keep it moist, there is something called too much water too.
Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust
Cover new concrete with a tarp or polyethylene sheet for it to retain its moisture.
Spray it with water at least ten times a day to ensure that it does not dry up and start developing cracks. Spraying is not recommended during cold weather as it may develop early cracks and disturb the concrete melting point.
Create small ponds in concrete by raising the edges and filling water in them. You can let it stand for a couple of days, and you can save time during this process. Three days of curing cement by ponding save you at least seven days of work.
Don’t skip joints in concrete slabs or driveways, as this is where the tension will happen. After it dries up and hardens, these little joints will attract snow and ice to settle inside. Then you might not get the proper ice melt that won’t damage concrete in return. You can use a metal jointing tool to help cover these spaces.
Not let new concrete become too cold as it may crack right at the beginning. If there is a sudden drop in temperature, your concrete will not strengthen the way you want and will leave you dissatisfied later. You have to use concrete insulating blankets or old house blankets to cover the concrete and keep it safe from extreme cold. Once winters arrive, such concrete cannot withstand ice snow melt products and will damage them further.
Best Ice Melt for Concrete
Safe Paw: As a responsible company, Safe Paw ensures to inform you of different ways you can keep snow from sticking to the driveway or harming your flowerbeds. Safe Paw stands out as the hero you can rely on. It’s not just an ice melt; it’s a 100% salt-free guardian that ensures your concrete is protected, your pets are safe, and the environment is respected. This eco-friendly option doesn’t just prevent ice formation; it does so without the damaging effects of conventional ice melts. With Safe Paw, you can tackle icy challenges without compromising the integrity of your concrete or the health of your garden and furry friends.
Calcium Magnesium Acetate Ice Melt: Love your concrete? Then Calcium magnesium acetate ice melt is your friend. It’s like giving your driveway a gentle hug. It’s less corrosive than most salts and won’t scare your pets or plants. However, it’s pricier than other options and not as effective in very low temperatures. For those tougher icy challenges, you might want to consider Safe Paw, which is effective even in extreme cold.
Potassium Chloride Ice Melt: Not into extreme cold? Potassium chloride ice melt plays nice until things get too chilly (think above 15°F). While it’s a champ at preventing re-freeze, its mild nature means it won’t attack your concrete with the same vigor as harsher chemicals. Its effectiveness wanes in severe cold, making it less reliable when you really need it.
Urea-Based Ice Melt: Known mostly as a fertilizer, urea-based ice melt is a softer option for your surfaces and greenery. Although not the strongest fighter against old man winter, it’s a safer play for the areas frequented by furry friends and tiny tots. However, its melting power is limited, and it can contribute to nitrogen runoff, which might not be ideal for your garden’s health.
Beet Juice Ice Melt: Got a sweet spot for the environment? Beet juice ice melt turns your ice problems into a less sticky situation—literally. It’s a slick way to reduce the freezing point of water and is often used in combination with other agents to boost their effectiveness and kindness to the environment. The downside? It’s not the strongest solo performer and often needs to be part of a mix to truly shine.
Deicer Options
Calcium Chloride: If you need the heavy artillery, calcium chloride is at your service. This deicer means business, melting ice at temperatures as low as -25°F. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility—use it wisely to avoid damage to your concrete. It can be too harsh on nearby vegetation and may lead to concrete spalling with overuse.
Magnesium Chloride: Ready for a kinder approach? Magnesium chloride might be your ally. It’s more forgiving on your driveways and flora than many of its peers and works its magic effectively down to -13°F. Still, moderation is key to keep your concrete smiling. It’s gentler but still poses environmental risks if overused, particularly concerning runoff that could affect local waterways.
Curious about what to use? It all boils down to your specific needs—temperature conditions, environmental concerns, and surface safety. Whether you’re sprinkling safe ice melt for driveways or prepping for a frosty forecast, choosing the right product can be a game-changer.
As a responsible company, Safe Paw ensures to inform you of different ways you can keep snow from sticking to the driveway or harming your flowerbeds.
Concrete Safe Ice Melt
Safe Paw
The Original and the #1 Child and Pet Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands.
It begins to settle when the concrete starts to develop cracks or the concrete slabs sink in driveways, sidewalks, or pavements. There are several reasons why concrete settles, but the most common reason is when the soil beneath the concrete starts to shrink, dry, or become too moist.
Settled concrete needs fixing right away because it will further the gap between slabs and might harm you, your kids, or even pets.
As the cold season approaches, you will need to use concrete safe ice melt to protect yourself and your family from slipping or falling. However, with these cracks or settled concrete, the application becomes tough. Hence, it is advisable to completely replace settled concrete with new and cured concrete before the onset of winter or snowfall.
The Next Question You May Have – How Does Ice Destroy Concrete?
After a snowfall, a layer of goodness settles all around. This goodness, though beautiful at first glance, will leave a thin layer of ice underneath it. Despite of shoveling the top layer, you will notice a thin layer settling on the concrete that you cannot remove with the shovel.
It needs ice melt that won’t damage concrete to help you remove your car safely and avoid falling while getting out of the house. However, the constant freeze-thaw cycle creates cracks in the concrete and will eventually destroy it. Hence, extreme cold or extreme heat can ruin concrete, increasing your cost.
It is best to speak with friendly customer care executives from trusted companies, such as Safe Paw, to advise you on what type of ice melt is suitable for everyday use. Investing in urea ice melt is far safer than ice melt pellets of calcium chloride, potassium chloride, rock salt, etc.
How Can You Buy An Ice Melt Product?
Now that you know how ice reacts with concrete and the different types of concrete, the next step is to understand how to buy the best ice melt product without damaging your surroundings.
Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust
Each ice melt for concrete or liquid snow melting products has its compositions mentioned at the back of the jar.
For example, Blue Heat Ice Melt composition includes sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and ferric chloride.
Purple heat ice melt composition includes a 92/8 blend of 1% potassium chloride, 1% calcium chloride, 6% magnesium chloride, and 92% sodium acetate.
Liquid snow melting is a blend of two or more products, such as calcium chloride or sodium chloride, only sodium chloride or rock salt, magnesium chloride and salt, etc.
You also have 100% chloride-free and urea ice melt that is far safer for your concrete and surroundings, such as Safe Paw. It comprises a non-corrosive and non-conductive dual-patented formula safe on cured concrete, making it the best ice melt that won’t damage concrete.
Each ice melting product is verified and approved by the state and federal departments. The stamps authenticate the product usage and tell you the best salt for ice melting.
Each jar or box will also have the instructions and safety measures printed at the back. Would you mind keeping a lookout for these or asking the store if you cannot find them? Every ice melt has to follow industry standards and has to comply with federal regulations.
In the case of a patent, you will have a Patent number mentioned on the front and back of the jar. So, for example, Safe Paw is a patented product and has the patent number written on the front of all products.
It is safe to say that you find the best ice melter products after speaking with your neighbors, family, or friends. Of course, researching the pros and cons of each product has its benefits; however, there is a better chance of finding the ice melt you like by speaking with your dear ones.
Online reviews and testimonials also help in making an informed choice. You get unbiased opinions and honest reviews about the best ice melter products. So next time you think, ‘is calcium chloride safe for concrete?’ or ‘what are the different urea ice melting products?’, you know exactly where to look.
Check out websites like Yelp, Amazon reviews, US Reviews, Angi, Manta, Home Advisor, Bright local, etc., to check for different ice melt product reviews and testimonials before purchasing the product.
You can also visit the websites to check for reviews and testimonials. For example, see the Safe Paw website to check out our testimonials today!
There are times we want to see how the product performs before buying it. So even for the best ice melt product, if you’re going to see a demo, call the customer care number, and the executives will come home to give you one.
Most companies provide demos, but it’s better to call and check first. Safe Paw offers you a demo and technical help to use the product. For example, you may have watched several videos of how to spread ice melt on the driveway; however, with the help of an executive, you get a better idea to do it right.
Whether they are ice melter pellets or urea ice melting products, you will have the safety regulations mentioned on the product. To ensure your snow melter driveway product works, it is best to read the instruction manual carefully before using it.
We often think of quickly melting ice on the driveway or the patio by using more ice melt. But in the future, you have to face more consequences due to excessive damage. Overusing or underusing even the best salt for ice melting might spoil your concrete or vehicle.
Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw
Safe Paw, Child Plant Dog Paw & Pet Safe Ice Melt -35lb, 36 Pails
Safe Paw has earned the trust of millions of people across the country for being a 100% environment-friendly ice melt product. Safe Paw does not harm the environment, pets, or kids, even if they ingest it accidentally because of its patented formula.
Don’t think about it running into water bodies and clogging the drains after melting as it will only act as a fertilizer to your flowers and not harm them. Safe Paw does not leave any residue behind either.
So next time, while searching for a non-corrosive ice melt product, you know where to start looking from. The best time to order or buy your ice melter pellets is just before the onset of winters and spread it as per the instructions before a heavy snowfall to keep snow from sticking to driveways and patios.
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.
FAQs
A. While no ice melt is completely harmless to concrete, certain products are less damaging than others. One such product is Safe Paw Ice Melt, which is formulated to be gentler on concrete.
A. An ice melt is considered safe for concrete if it minimizes freeze-thaw cycles and doesn’t contain chemicals that lead to scaling or spalling. Safe Paw Ice Melt, for instance, is designed to be safe for concrete surfaces.
A. To minimize potential damage, apply the minimum amount necessary of a safer product like Safe Paw Ice Melt, promptly remove slush, and consider applying a sealer to your concrete surfaces.
A. While technically you can use any ice melt on concrete, some types can cause more damage than others. It’s recommended to use a product that’s labeled as being safe for concrete, like Safe Paw Ice Melt.
A. Concrete safe ice melt, like Safe Paw Ice Melt, is still effective at melting ice and snow. These products are designed to minimize damage to concrete surfaces, which may slightly affect their ice-melting speed but greatly increases their safety for concrete.
Stay safe on slippery surfaces with a product that’s 100% natural and safe for pets, people, and your property. Use Traction Magic on sidewalks, steps, or as instant traction for your car.
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.
Prevent slips at home, work or on the go, The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow.
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.
Stay safe and confident this winter with Traction Magic! This innovative, 100% natural product offers instant traction on any icy surface. Whether you’re navigating your sidewalk, steps, or driveway, Traction Magic helps you stay upright and prevents falls.
Prevent slips at home, work or on the go, The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow.
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.
