What’s Better? An Ice Melt Or Common Salt?

While looking forward to a winter wonderland, we often forget the long list of to-dos before the season starts. Yes, it’s time to prepare for icy, snowy weather. Keeping ourselves and our families safe is a challenge in winter. Getting rid of snow and ice on the driveway, parking lot, and sidewalk is one of the biggest winter woes.

The two most common options for clearing the snow are using common salt or ice melt. Choosing between ice melt and common salt is not easy. You need to consider various parameters like- where it has to be applied, the temperature at which it is most effective,  the cost, and the consequences of using each.

In this article, we will compare ice melt and common salt on various parameters so that you can make a choice that suits you the best.

Ice Melt Safe For Concrete

What’s In It?

The difference between rock salt and ice melt lies in the mix. Rock salt is basically sodium chloride. Ice melt is generally a blend of sodium chloride and other minerals like magnesium and calcium. Then there are ice melts without salt that are non-toxic and non-corrosive. If you’re a pet owner, then you might be looking for a snow salt that is pet safe. These are usually composed of natural ingredients like urea, which is completely safe to use around pets and kids.

How Does It Work?

The rock salt lowers the freezing point of the water from 32 degrees to 25 degrees, thereby slowing down the formation of ice. 

The chloride (and other minerals) based ice melt solutions work by lowering the temperature below 0 or even -25 degrees. On contact with ice/snow, it absorbs moisture forming a salty-solution (brine) that produces heat and melts the ice.

Urea-based ice melts are considered a safer option. The crystalline amide-based solution is one of the only ice melts that guarantees its safety around children and pets. The modified crystalline amide core is infused with a special glycol admixture and traction agent. On contact with snow, the outer layer attacks immediately while the crystal core penetrates slowly, to eliminate all snow and ice. They can melt at temperatures as low as -2 degrees.

Side Effects

It is common knowledge that rock salt and most of the ice melts damage your lawn, driveways, and pavements. What is not well known is that NOT ALL ice melts are unsafe for your concrete, plants, and pets.

The porous concrete on your driveway absorbs the salty mixture and when the temperature falls below 25 degrees, the water re-freezes and expands, putting additional hydraulic pressure on the concrete and thereby damaging the concrete.

Many salt-free ice melts are comprised of natural ingredients. They are 100% safe to use around pets and kids. They are also non-corrosive and non-conductive. Therefore, they are safe for your delicate machines, and you don’t need to worry about short-circuiting, etc. They won’t harm animals or children, and it won’t damage your property.

However, beware of brands that falsely claim themselves to be pet-safe.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw

Cost

Although rock salt is economical as compared to any ice melt, it has a price that you pay later. Using rock salt can be dangerous too. Not only can it corrode your car body, but it can also harm your pets, vegetation, and children.

Learn more about the best practices that should be followed while using common salt or an ice melt without salt.

Another confusion most people have is between kosher salt vs table salt. Yes, it can be puzzling. Let’s break it down from grain size and melting speed to cost efficiency and overall melting effectiveness to help you choose wisely this winter.

Grain Size and Melting Speed

The size of the grain matters more than you might think. Kosher salt typically has a larger grain size compared to table salt, which can affect how quickly it melts ice. The larger grains of kosher salt means it doesn’t dissolve as quickly as table salt. However, this slower dissolution rate can actually be beneficial as it allows the salt to remain effective longer, providing a sustained de-icing effect. This gradual melting process can make kosher salt a better option for maintaining passable walkways during a long-lasting frost.

Cost Efficiency

When it comes to cost, table salt generally comes out on top. It’s widely available and typically less expensive than kosher salt, making it a more cost-effective choice for de-icing large areas like driveways and sidewalks. However, you may end up using more table salt due to its finer grains, which dissolve and wash away quickly. It’s a balancing act between the initial cost and the amount needed to maintain ice-free surfaces.

Melting Efficiency

Despite its cost, kosher salt might be more efficient for melting ice in certain scenarios due to its coarser texture. It provides better traction on icy surfaces, which is an added safety feature. Also, its larger grains can cover more ground without getting too quickly absorbed or washed away, which means you use less salt over time.

Table salt, with its finer grains, can penetrate ice quickly and start the melting process faster. This makes it particularly effective when you need to clear ice quickly and are able to reapply as necessary. It’s also worth noting that both salts have similar melting capacities since they are fundamentally the same compound (sodium chloride), but the physical form they take can alter their behaviour on ice.

Kosher Salt vs Rock Salt

It’s also useful to compare kosher salt with rock salt (another common de-icing salt). Rock salt is even coarser than kosher salt and is specifically mined for ice control. Its larger crystal size and slower dissolution rate make it ideal for heavy and persistent ice conditions. However, like kosher salt, it can track residue into homes and requires careful handling to avoid damage to concrete and vegetation.

Deciding between kosher salt and table salt for ice melting involves weighing these factors based on your specific needs. For those looking for a middle ground in terms of efficiency and cost, kosher salt is a stellar choice, balancing longevity and safety with moderate expense. Meanwhile, table salt is unmatched in cost-effectiveness and speed. Always consider your environmental conditions, the area you need to cover, and safety concerns when choosing your de-icing salt.

In terms of surface safety, neither is ideal. They can accelerate the deterioration of both asphalt and concrete and damage the paws of our furry friends. If pet safety is a priority, non-toxic, pet-safe formulations are recommended, which lower the risk of irritation and ingestion toxicity.

While traditional methods like kosher salt and rock salt have their place, exploring environmentally friendly and safer alternatives could significantly reduce the winter woes. Whether it’s adopting more sustainable deicing practices or using innovative products that promise efficacy without harm, the key is to balance practicality with mindfulness toward our environment and health. 

Learn more about the best practices that should be followed while using common salt or an ice melt without salt.

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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