Is It Safe To Salt Your Wooden Deck?

Outdoor living is one of the popular trends in home development today. Adding a deck is the best way to enhance the value of your house. Apart from adding a functional space where people can gather, it also gives your house a completely new look. Although there are several decking materials in the market, a wooden deck looks beautiful and elegant and is less expensive. But it is imperative to take care of it in the winter season, especially if it is of natural wood. 

One of the most popular ways of clearing snow from the open areas is spreading rock salt- be it on sidewalks, pavements, driveways, or steps. But is it safe to use salt on wooden decks? Let’s find out.

Salt Or Snow Melt- What Is Better On Painted Wood Deck?

Between using salt on wood deck and a dedicated snow melt, the latter is the better choice, especially when we’re talking about painted wood decks. Salt can strip away the paint, leaving your deck exposed and vulnerable to the elements. A dedicated ice melt for wooden deck, like Safe Paw, is the better choice. It’s effective, won’t damage the paint or the wood, and is safe for pets.

Environment- Friendly Ice Melt

Here Are 3 Reasons Why You Should Never Use Salt On Your Wooden Deck:

1- Corrosive

As we all know, rock salt is essentially sodium chloride. It is not safe for wooden decks. The chloride component of the salt absorbs moisture from the wood. When the wood is left dry, it fails to perform its natural contraction and expansion process, thus corrodes soon. Rock salt is not only unsafe to use on wood but also concrete, asphalt, as well as bricks. The salt and other chemicals present in ice melt can cause rashes, eye irritation, and burn paw pads of our four-legged friends.

2- Poisonous

Another reason you should not use rock salt is, that it is not safe to use around kids, pets, and plants. Chlorine in salt and chemical-based ice melt is a toxic respiratory irritant and can damage pets’ skin, eyes, and membranes. 

3- Environmentally unfriendly 

The runoff from rock salt pollutes streams, rivers, and other waterways. It can even kill or affect the growth of plants.

So, What Should You Use On Your Wooden Deck?

Using ice melt is the simplest and most effective cure for your winter woes. There are different varieties of winter ice melt solutions available in the market. Most of the ice melt in the market have chloride in their composition. The toxins in these ice melt can affect the shine and longevity of your wooden deck. As we know now that chloride is not safe for your wooden deck, you must choose an ice melt that is salt-free, chloride-free, and acetate-free. Moreover, the residue of salt and chemical-based ice melt can harm the flooring and rugs of your indoor facility.

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.

Therefore, select a good ice melt for a wooden deck. Choose one that is safe for children, pets, and that will not kill the grass. Avoid using sand for snow removal as it will grind and damage the surface of the deck.

If you take care of your deck in the off-season, be sure that it will return the favor in the coming years. By avoiding salt and using a good ice melt for wooden decks, you can keep your deck safe and glistening without straining your back and pockets.

Winter Safety for Wood Decks

First things first—keeping your wood decks ice free is essential, not just for the wood’s longevity but for safety too. Timely removal of snow and applying ice melt for wood decks strategically before storms can greatly reduce ice buildup. But beware, not all ice melts are created equal! While some may offer a quick fix, they can also leach harmful chemicals into the wood, accelerating deterioration. The key here is to choose products that are both effective and protect wood decks from winter damage without compromising the deck’s integrity.

Protecting Wood Decks from Ice Melt

Navigating through ice melt options can be tricky. It’s crucial to select ice melt that won’t damage wood, which are usually less corrosive than standard options. However, even products marketed as safe can have hidden drawbacks, such as leaving a slippery residue or not being as effective in very low temperatures, which might require frequent reapplication, increasing exposure and potential damage.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw

Plant-Friendly Ice Melt

Gardens and green areas can suffer too. Opting for plant-friendly ice melt means protecting the flora surrounding your deck. But while these products are gentler on plants, they might not always offer the robust ice-melting power needed during severe weather, or they may require larger quantities to be effective, which can be less cost-effective and still pose risks of runoff and residue.

Safe Ice Melt for Wooden Decks

For those who prioritize eco-conscious living, eco-friendly ice melt products like Safe Paw present a viable solution. They’re designed to be safe on wood and gentle on the environment. However, while other products might claim similar benefits, they often fall short in efficiency or safety for pets and plants—always double-check the components and their concentrations.

Best Ice Melt for Wooden Decks

The best ice melt for wooden decks ideally balances effectiveness, safety, and environmental responsibility. While alternatives such as magnesium chloride or calcium magnesium acetate might seem appealing due to their lower corrosive properties, they can still pose risks to pet health and environmental integrity. Safe Paw, in contrast, is formulated without harsh salts and chlorides, offering a safer and equally effective solution.

Homemade Ice Melt for Wood Decks

Considering a homemade ice melt for wood decks? Simple recipes can include natural ingredients like sand or even coffee grounds to provide traction without chemical risks. Yet, these home solutions often provide very temporary relief and can require frequent application, which isn’t always practical or sufficient in harsh conditions.

Recipe for Homemade Ice Melt

A basic recipe for homemade ice melt might mix benign ingredients like sand with salt, but even minimal salt can pose long-term risks to wood integrity and surrounding vegetation. Moreover, homemade mixtures lack the temperature-specific formulations that products like Safe Paw offer, which are designed to work effectively across a range of winter conditions.

When considering your options this winter, remember that while alternatives may offer immediate solutions, they often come with significant caveats. Safe Paw remains a standout choice for those seeking a balance of safety, efficacy, and environmental responsibility, ensuring your wood decks remain pristine and safe throughout the season.

How To Repair Holes On Salt Treated Wood Deck?

Salt on wood deck can lead to holes and other damages over time. Repairing a salt-treated wood deck can be a laborious process involving cleaning, removing loose wood, filling holes, sanding, and repainting or sealing. To avoid this hassle, choose a product like Safe Paw. This ice melt for wooden deck won’t cause the same corrosive damage as salt and will save you time and effort in the long run.

Final Words

The best ice melt for your wooden deck is Safe Paw, which is salt-free and eco-friendly ice melt having carbonyl diamide and glycol as main ingredients. It will neither damage your surface nor leave behind a mess. It removes snow from your wooden decks and adds traction also. Unlike salt-based ice melts, it is safe for pets and plants.

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