Is Ice Melt Safe For Your Pets And Concrete?

There are numerous ice melt alternatives to pick from, and the procedure can be complex if you aren’t sure what you’re searching for. We all are looking for an ice melt that will not damage our driveway or walkways. It should also keep our four-legged pals safe so that they can walk on and even lick snow treated with ice melt without harm. Is there any ice melt safe for pets and concrete? To find the answer to this lets us know more about ice melt ingredients. 

In this article, we’ll discuss different types of ice melt to help you pick the best pet-safe ice melt and winter safety tips for concrete maintenance.  

Ice Melt For New Concrete

Snow Removal Techniques for Concrete

Even before the winter strikes, we start thinking about snow removal, pet-safety and concrete protection. While there are numerous ways of snow removal, using the right technique can prevent damage to your concrete and ensure the longevity of your driveway or walkways. Shoveling is one of the most popular methods. But needless to say, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And at the same time, it can be taxing and dangerous if you’re a heart patient.  Snow blowers are effective and don’t involve much physical strength but this method doesn’t work if snow has turned into stubborn ice. Ice melt products work well in such cases. But not any ice melt product. If you’re concerned about the safety of your concrete you need, a concrete-safe deicer can be the best solution in such cases. This brings me to the next point- winter concrete care.

Winter Concrete Care: Tips for Concrete Maintenance

As soon as winter strikes, we start thinking about maintaining our concrete surfaces like driveways and sidewalks. And why not? After all concrete maintenance needs a proactive approach to prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles and deicing chemicals. You may already know sealing the concrete is an important step in winter concrete care. Yes, this one step is crucial and helps prevent water absorption and ice formation in the pores of the concrete. Additionally, regular inspection and repair of small cracks prevent these cracks from expanding due to ice formation. But, did you know that no matter how well you seal your concrete, if you use a harsh chemical-based icemelt, you cannot save your concrete? Winter concrete care is also about the products you use on it.

Pet Safe Ice Melt: Ensuring Pet Safety

Pet owners must choose an ice melt safe for pets and concrete. The biggest dilemma with respect to the pet-safe ice melt products in the market is that even the chloride-based products are falsely labelling their products as ‘pet-safe ice melt’. From calcium chloride to magnesium chloride even CMA is not safe for pets. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular chemicals used in most ice melt products: 

Sodium Chloride

This ice melt will appeal to bargain hunters. It’s affordable, but it’ll wreak havoc on asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, metal, grass, plants, and wood. It is fatal to your pets if they consume it. 

It not only harms infrastructure but also damages the ecosystem. It is capable of causing damage to both old and new concrete, as well as asphalt, stone, and brick. Even trace amounts of this salt can contaminate neighboring soil, changing its makeup and causing harm to grass and plants. 

Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)

It causes little damage to concrete and acts swiftly, although it can harm grass and plants. Calcium chloride quickly melts ice, but it also absorbs moisture, making surfaces wet and slick. As a result, the chances of slipping and falling increase. In pets, it can cause burns to the tongue and throat, increased thirst, vomiting, and stomach ache. 

Calcium And Magnesium Acetate (CMA)

It is eco-friendly and suitable for usage in airports and parking garages. It moderately damages concrete. It’s a bit more expensive than other ice melt solutions.

Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)

It’s suitable for both domestic and business use, and it works swiftly. It causes little harm to concrete, is environmentally friendly, and is pet-safe. If you use too much, your grass and plants will suffer. Keep a watch on pets with kidney problems, as this product is okay to use on their feet but not on their stomachs. It is reasonably priced.

Potassium Chloride (KCl)

Although it is more expensive, it will only cause minor damage to concrete. It’s healthy for your plants until you abuse it, and it’s safe for pets unless your dog has kidney illness and ingests it. 

Potassium chloride is blended with more toxic compounds, making it more caustic and hazardous to the environment. Concrete driveways, as a result, are dangerous.

Safe Paw: A Comprehensive Solution

Safe Paw is an excellent choice for those looking for a comprehensive ice melt solution that is safe for pets, plants, and concrete. It contains no harmful chlorides and is effective in conditions as low as -2°F.

Safe Paw is one of those rare pet safe ice melt products that is 100% free from salt, chlorides, and even CMA. It’s a modified urea-based product that does not irritate pets’ paws or pose a risk if ingested. Its ingredients like urea or glycol-based formulations are not only safe to use around pets but also safe for concrete. Unlike rock salt and other salt-based ice melting products that can only melt ice to a temperature of 24 degrees, it can melt ice up to 2 degrees below zero. It is safe for your pets and will not damage your concrete or any other surface.

Concrete Safe Deicer

Not all deicers are created equal when it comes to protecting concrete surfaces. A concrete safe deicer does not contain harmful chlorides that can corrode the concrete matrix. Products like Safe Paw are composed of non-chloride-based ingredients that are effective at melting stubborn ice even at lower temperatures without posing any structural risk to your delicate concrete.

Best Ice Melt for Concrete

If you’ve been following the article, choosing the best ice melt for concrete would be a piece of cake.  In a market full of false promises and sub-standard products, it’s not easy to find the best ice melt for concrete. However, consider the ingredients mentioned on the product as your guiding light. It’s imperative to understand the various product formulations and their effects on concrete durability. Look for options that are effective at lower temperatures but contain no chlorides. These products will melt ice and snow without contributing to concrete deterioration over time.

Concrete Damage: Prevention Tips

First thing first. Seal the concrete and get it inspected for any cracks or pits. To prevent concrete damage, avoid using excessive amounts of ice melt and choose products that are less aggressive. Don’t forget to clear the slush and residual deicer. This small step can also protect concrete from prolonged exposure to chemicals. 

Choosing the Right Ice Melt for Your Needs

It’s essential to strike a balance between effective ice melting and concrete preservation. Safe Paw is an excellent choice for those looking for a comprehensive ice melt solution that is safe for pets, plants, and concrete. It contains no harmful chlorides and is effective in conditions as low as -2°F. 

Selecting the right ice melt involves considering environmental impact, pet safety, and concrete preservation. Opt for products like Safe Paw, which offer a balance of efficacy and safety, ensuring your winter months are safe and your concrete remains undamaged.

Conclusion

The salt-based ice melts remain on the surface for long periods posing a risk to pets and children if they eat the contents. The residue of chloride-based ice melt can harm concrete, pavers, lawns, timber, and decks. Whereas ice melt ingredients with amide core and glycol will not harm either your pets and concrete. 

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.

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