The Easy Way To Melt Ice You Never Knew About (It’s Not Salt!)

The last thing you want to do in the dark and chilly months of winter is shovel ice and snow from your driveway. While rock salt is a quick remedy for slick surfaces, it isn’t always easy to come by when the temps plummet. 

Winterizing your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Using the best ice melt for new concrete and other surfaces will save your money and effort. You need not worry about costly repairs and slip and fall accidents.

Cons Of Using Rock Salt 

Rock salt, commonly known as sodium chloride, is used throughout the country to melt ice and prevent new ice from forming on roadways, walkways, and parking lots. 

Animals may be harmed (salt exposure can cause irritated paws, dehydration, bacterial infections, and other ailments) Can hasten the corrosion of metals and cause concrete deterioration over time. When used in excess, it might harm shrubs and other plants. Salt runoff has the potential to contaminate local rivers. Only at temperatures over -10°C does it perform correctly.

Environmental Impact of Salt on Ice Melting

Aquatic Life:

You may already be aware that the use of rock salt and other types of salt for ice melting, such as calcium chloride, has significant repercussions on aquatic ecosystems. When salt is used to melt ice on roads and walkways, the runoff inevitably makes its way into local water bodies. This influx of salt can lead to higher salinity levels, which can be detrimental to freshwater organisms. High levels of salt in water bodies can disrupt the osmoregulation of aquatic life. This in turn can lead to the death of water organisms and decreased biodiversity.

Vegetation:

Just like aquatic life, salt impacts on vegetation are also notable. The salt residue after snow melt can runoff and accumulate in the soil. Due to this process, soil salinity of the affected area can increase leading to impaired plant growth. Not just that it can cause widespread vegetation damage. This effect not only alters the local landscape but can also reduce the overall health of local ecosystems.

Infrastructure:

From a structural perspective, the effectiveness of salt on ice comes with a cost to infrastructure. Materials like rock salt and calcium chloride are corrosive. The corrosive nature of these ice melt solutions can lead to accelerated deterioration of concrete and metal (including your driveway, sidewalk, and stairs). Not just private property, salt can impact public property as well. This means roads, bridges, and buildings require more frequent repairs and maintenance, increasing long-term public and private sector costs.

Groundwater:

Imagine salt seeping down through the soil—over time, it inevitably reaches the groundwater layers, a critical resource for drinking, agriculture, and industrial applications. This infiltration raises the salinity levels, affecting not only human water supplies but also the countless wildlife species reliant on these freshwater sources. The ramifications extend beyond just a salty aftertaste; they can disrupt entire ecosystems that depend on these groundwater reserves.

Ice Melt For New Concrete

How To Melt Ice On Concrete Without Harming It?

Consider an ice melt that you can put down and forget about. It will not hurt animals or children, and it will not cause damage to your home. 

• The grass, plants, and greenery in your yard are all safe! 
• Get instant melting without the risk of causing damage to your property. 
• If consumed, it will not burn your paws or poison your pet. 
• Land and streams are both safe. 

How Does It Work? 

Spread this crystalline amide core with glycol ice melt anywhere ice and snow need to be melted. A deicing liquid is ejected from the crystals, speeding up the melting process. It breaks down the molecular structure of ice and snow, preventing water molecules from rebuilding into ice crystals. The core drills through ice in 10 minutes, weakening it.

Eco-Conscious Ice Melting with Safe Paw:

Turning the page from traditional ice melting methods, Safe Paw presents a forward-thinking DIY ice melt strategy that conscientiously addresses these environmental concerns. Engineered to be gentle on the planet, Safe Paw eschews harsh agents like rock salt and calcium chloride, notorious for their corrosive properties. Its eco-friendly formulation ensures no harm comes to vegetation, infrastructure integrity remains uncompromised, and our precious waterways stay untainted.

Opting for Safe Paw not only allows for efficient snow and ice management but significantly cuts down on the adverse environmental impacts typically linked to conventional salt-based deicing practices. This choice positions Safe Paw as the go-to solution for those dedicated to practical ice melting solutions that effectively balance efficacy with ecological responsibility.

By integrating Safe Paw into your winter safety plan, you safeguard your pathways and the greater environmental tableau, ensuring a sustainable, ice-free season. 

Is It Safe?

This salt-free ice melt is, first and foremost, environmentally friendly. Once it has performed its purpose and been swept away, it will cause no harm to the surrounding rivers or land. 

It is safe to use and effective on surfaces like concrete, rubber, paint, plastic, and pavers. Your ice melter will most often be used on new concrete, but it may also be necessary to treat existing concrete, pathways, stone, or other surfaces. This ice melter is safe to use on these surfaces. It also includes a traction agent to help walking on snow and ice easier for you and your family.

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.

Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride are common ingredients in ice melters. Some health issues that can develop in pets after swallowing chloride-based ice melters include nausea, increased urination, irregular blood pressure, dehydration, and neurological abnormalities. This natural ice melt is free from toxins and does not pose a threat to your pets and plants.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw

Conclusion

There is a plethora of DIY and store-bought deicing solutions. Before you purchase your ice melt, make sure you do your homework and assess the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Understand the concept behind how to melt ice on concrete safely. It also doesn’t hurt to test out a tiny area first. As a responsible homeowner, get an ice melt safe for people, pets, and the environment.