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Ice Melt For New Concrete – Frequently Asked Questions

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As winter nears, there is a rush at all stores to buy the deicer safe for concrete, especially new concrete. Every year we see several households rush to purchase the cheapest ice melt in the market, i.e., rock salt, and also see them suffer damages post the season gets over.

Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is detrimental to concrete because of its corrosive nature. Concrete might look smooth at the surface but consists of millions of tiny pores that tend to retain some amount of water. Notice in summers, when you throw water over concrete, it smoothly glides off and leaves tiny bubbles in some places.  

Concrete Safe Ice Melt

However, as winter arrives and we begin using any ice melt for concrete, especially rock salt, these tiny pores eventually become affected. The problem becomes even more acute for residences with new concrete. The damage that might take place can burn a tiny hole in your pocket. No product is worth your precious time and money if it leads to damage year after year. The severity of winters can also affect your buying decision. 

We know several questions are crossing your mind right now regarding the best ice melt for new concrete, and we are here to answer them. But, first, let us walk you through the most frequently asked questions about deicers, ice melts, different chlorides and the safest product to use during winters.

Ice Melt For New Concrete

Safe Paw Homemade Ice Melt

Safe Paw

The Original and the #1 Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands.

Frequently Asked Questions:

An ice melt or deicer is a product used during winter to melt snow and icy surfaces in residential, commercial, or public settings. Depending on the location, the quantity of deicer or ice melt will differ. There are many types of deicers in the market. However, the safest concrete-friendly ice melt is Safe Paw.  

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

    

Knowing the different types of ice melt in the market can give you a better idea of which one will help you the most. A few ice melt for concrete driveway include- 

  • Calcium chloride– It has a melting point of -25 degrees Fahrenheit and quickly turns ice into brine (liquid), lowering the freezing point of water, producing heat, and thus, causing the ice to melt. It is expensive than most other compounds in the market. 
  • Sodium Chloride– Popularly known as rock salt, sodium chloride is one of the most commonly used ice melts in the market. It is not the safest ice melt for concrete, but it is cheaper than the others. It works best up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and is corrosive to metals, and leaves behind a whitish residue. 
  • Sodium chloride liquid brine– A typical solution is made of ¾ part water and ¼ part sodium (salt) and uses significantly less salt. It is cheaper than rock salt; however, despite having the lowest melting point of -6 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not the best salt for concrete and can corrode your driveway, sidewalks, asphalt surfaces, metal, etc. 

New Concrete

Concrete is the most durable construction material available today. However, you need to understand that everything that happens after pouring the concrete creates as much impact as the mixing itself. Any new concrete takes around 28 days to bind well with gravel and sand. And if the concrete does not settle and you have snowfall, the impact can be overwhelming and you will need to be extra careful before applying salt on new concrete.

During this process, the concrete needs to be well-hydrated to maintain its moisture level. 

Quick ways you can cure new concrete and find the cure melt for you– 

  • Dampening it with adequate water frequently during the first seven days. This step is also known as moist curing. 
  • Covering new concrete helps it to retain its moisture. Hose it down with water again and repeat the process. 
  • Pond curing helps to eliminate seven days’ worth of time in one day. Form temporary berms around the concrete slab and fill it with water to the edge of the border. It will help keep the slab moist, however, it may not be feasible for everyone to carry this step out. 
  • Don’t let it get too cold quickly. If winters are fast approaching, it is best to keep your new concrete covered with concrete insulating blankets or old house blankets for the first two to three days at least. You can extend this up to a week, too; it gets too cold to handle. Post this; the concrete should be strong enough to withstand the cold weather.
  • Don’t paint new concrete in the first month, and don’t put too much pressure or weight on the concrete for the first few days. Since it is still strengthening, it might sink or crack with the additional weight. 

The same applies to ice melt on new concrete driveway to ensure it does not damage your driveway in any way

Settled Concrete

Over time, the soil underneath the concrete starts to settle or dry. It causes the concrete to settle down or sink in further, causing cracks and chipping. These cracks need to be filled immediately and repaired before it causes more damage. 

During heavy snowfall, ice starts to settle in between the crevices of the separated concrete. Adding ice melt on this will lead to further corrosion and damage, thus making it an expensive affair. Therefore, you need to ensure you buy concrete-safe ice melt to help you battle any environment or concrete challenge. 

Yes, there is. Along with natural ingredients such as beet juice, urea, kitty litter, etc. you have concrete friendly ice melt product such as Safe Paw has proven beneficial for residential use. It is 100% chloride-free, salt-free, and 100% safe for the environment. 

However, every ice melter manufacturer will advise you to take precautions for new concrete as it is still settling and getting acclimatized with the weather condition. Therefore you must practice caution and care with new concrete.  

There are multiple things you need to check before you buy a concrete-safe ice melter. Few things to keep in mind- 

  • Check the composition on the jar or box. For example, the Safe Paw jar explicitly states the ingredients such as modified carbonyl diamide crystals, proprietary traction agents, etc. 
  • Check the industry seals on the jar. For example, you can see if the product is US EPA certified and if the compounds are environmentally safe. 
  • Research about the product online. For example, you can check product reviews on Yelp, Google page, Amazon.com, or any other website to find out how and what people think of the product. Enquiring amongst your neighbors is a great way to get a first-hand feel of how the product reacts to your surrounding and how effective it may be. 
  • Ask for a demo of the product. For example, you can connect with the customer care number of Safe Paw to ask for any technical assistance or a demo of the product before buying it. It is always better to ask for concrete safe ice melt than regret later. 
  • Check the safety regulations of the product. For example, every concrete ice melt comes with a standard set of safety instructions written behind the product or a user manual stating all the dos and don’ts of the product. Please read the instruction manual carefully before you use the product. 

Now you know what ice melt is safe for concrete and how to take care of new concrete. 

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

    

New concrete needs time to set, and it is best to keep a gap of a few months before you use any ice melt product. Hence, it is safe to assume you can begin any repair work immediately after the winter season ends, thus giving you ample time until the following season. Hence, we advise you to take precautions before using any ice melt for new concrete.

Safe Paw is a proprietary traction agent and concrete safe ice melt product that helps in reducing accidents by making the driveways, sidewalks, and stairs easy to walk. 

Safe Paw has an excellent spread rate that allows you to quickly spread the granules in your backyard to make it safe for pets and people. Homeowners can use it in small and large areas around their house. It is the best ice melter for concrete driveways and patios, sidewalks, and stairs as well. 

Safe Paw is a patented proprietary dual-effect compound. The liquid component starts melting as soon as it comes into contact with the ice and breaks the surface tension. It is a concrete friendly ice melter that has been around for more than two decades. 

It has a long shelf life and does not lose its texture or effect even after storing it for a couple of years. It does not clog any waterways and nor does it cause any harm towards wetlands. 

It is salt-free, acetate-free, chlorine-free, and above all, non-corrosive. Once you apply it, the formula is effective for up to 72 hours post-application. Hence, you do not need to reapply often and move out of the house whenever you want. It is one of the safest ice melt for concrete in the market today. 

The best part about this concrete-friendly ice melter product is – it does not damage your foliage, plants, or garden bed. Since we have made this product with the environment in mind, it does not damage your flower bed or leave any residue behind after drying. 

It is a great traction agent and acts as an anti-slip agent reducing your falls and chances of slipping. 

Safe Paw is safe for pets and kids. It has been cleared as safe to use by veterinarians and moms alike. It does not burn or cut your pet’s paws when they step out. In addition, it does not cause any itching or rashes when it comes in contact with the skin. 

Unlike other products, Safe Paw does not cause any medical conditions even if ingested accidentally. Hence, it is not only a safe salt for concrete, it is one of the best 

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Safe Paw is safe on cured concrete. As mentioned above, you need to apply every ice melt carefully and judiciously. If you have ‘cured’ your new concrete a few weeks back, you can use Safe Paw in small quantities. It is an ice melter safe for concrete and helps you to get through winters smoothly. 

However, we recommend you speak with the customer care experts before proceeding further.

Conclusion 

On a parting note, there are multiple products, and the choice can get overwhelming and daunting. Each product advertises itself as safe ice melt for concrete for your home and environment; however, it is best to read the reviews, check with your neighbors, and see for yourself if the product works or not. 

Don’t fall into the trap of quick-acting ice melter for concrete that can further damage your home and surroundings. We understand the pain of getting concrete repaired and treated. It is not an easy task; however, if you choose the right product, such as Safe Paw, you are in for a pleasant experience. 

If you are looking for a valuable and long-lasting product ice melt concrete safe, Safe Paw proves helpful on every account. Try it to believe it. We are here to help you find the correct product and make your winters far easier than ever before.

Have you bought your salt safe for concrete yet?

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Caution—While it does not harm the environment, you must avoid using it on new concrete or concrete less than a year old. It will not affect its stability; however, it might interfere in settling.

Other Ice Melt Products

Traction Magic Ice Melter Pet Friendly

Traction Magic

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. Made in the USA.

Safe Thaw Paw Safe Ice Melter

Safe Thaw

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.


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