Is Safe Paw Effective On New Concrete?

There’s nothing worse than spending hours preparing your lawn for the winter and then having it destroyed by salt. Salt can get into your grass roots and kill them off, making them brown and dead. It can also discolor concrete surfaces and drive away customers when you’re trying to impress them with your new business or home improvements. Should you use an ice melt if you’ve just poured new concrete on your driveway, sidewalk, or patio area? Is there any concrete-safe ice melt?

Let’s answer all your questions one by one.

New Concrete Is Delicate.

New concrete is delicate. It needs to cure for at least 28 days before it can be exposed to any chemicals, moisture, and salt. This curing process allows the new concrete to set and harden properly. If you spray ice melt product on the surface of your new driveway or sidewalk during the first three weeks after it’s poured, it will cause tiny cracks in your driveway’s surface that can expand over time if exposed to moisture.

Eco-Friendly Ice Melt

Ice Melt Can Cause Concrete To Crack And Pop.

Ice melt can cause concrete to crack, pop, and become porous. When ice melt is applied to new concrete, the freeze-thaw process that occurs with repeated exposure to moisture causes the expansion and contraction of the material. As a result, small cracks are formed in the surface of your driveway or walkway which allows water to seep into the ground below where it freezes and thaws repeatedly.

Ice Melt Can Leave Stains On Concrete Surfaces.

Do you hate the look of brown or white spots on your new, clean concrete? Unfortunately, this is a problem that many people have to deal with after using ice melt on their driveways. To prevent stains from happening, you’ll want to make sure that you keep the area around your driveway clear of any ice or snow buildup. If any does accumulate, brush it off as soon as possible—that way, you’ll avoid any damage caused by uneven melting.

Ice melt will harm new concrete if it has not been cured properly. The concrete surface needs time to settle before use. Ice melt products that contain salt or chloride are not advisable for new concrete. It is fresh and cannot take heavy shoveling. The salt can leave a residue on your concrete, making it difficult to scrub or shovel the broken icy layer.

Safe Paw will work on any concrete more than 12 months old. As long as your new concrete has had a chance to cure for at least a year, you’ll be able to use Safe Paw without worrying about damaging the surface. Testing on a small patch is recommended to ensure that the surface will not react adversely to the product.

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 have any concerns about applying Safe Paw, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts.

Other Ice Melt Products

---