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Is Ice Melt Safe?

 

During icy winter months, sidewalks, porches and driveways can become icy and dangerous. A common concern among homeowners is the use of ice melt products.  Common concerns involve the effects of these products on various surfaces and the vegetation that borders it.

For wood surfaces such decks and porches, your choices are limited.  Most ice melters create caustic residue that can severely damage wood fibers and finishes. For clearing, use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one.  This saves wear and tear on the wood.  If ice remains and must be cleared for safety reasons, you can use magnesium chloride melter, often labeled as 'pet friendly' since it is safe for your pet's sensitive paws. Use as little as possible and use a mop to clear up puddles thereby preventing refreezing. Another old-fashioned option is to use wood ashes from a fireplace to melt the ice.  Ash creates a weak lye solution when mixed with water and will melt ice.  This is also pet friendly but can prove to be a messy solution when tracked into the house.

For concrete surfaces, you have more product choices available but you must exercise caution to avoid damage to the concrete. This is of particular concern if you have concrete stoops that you're hoping to clear.  Ice melters can damage not only the stoop but also the foundation which is the stoop is butted up against. Also beware of products that corrode metal if you have metal railings.

 

Ice Melt Options & Cautions

 

  • Calcium chloride - Melts ice to temperatures of -25˚F. It gives off heat as it dissolves which melts the ice quicker but leaves a slimy residue. It is corrosive to metal and can be damaging to vegetation if over-applied.

 

  • Magnesium chloride - Similar to calcium chloride. It is less corrosive and safer on concrete, wood and plants.

 

  • Sodium chloride (rock salt) - Least expensive and very efficient. Will melt ice to temperatures of 20˚F. Effective at drying out icy surfaces. Not as harmful to concrete as other products but can be damaging to vegetation and is corrosive to metal.

 

  • Potassium chloride - Is more expensive than other products. Works well when mixed 50/50 with rock salt. Will melt ice to temperatures of 12˚F. Relatively safe but can still cause plant injury if over-applied.

 

  • Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) - Made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid. Safer on plants and concrete but it's performance decreases at temperatures below 20˚F. It works differently than other materials in that it does not form a brine like salts. CMA helps prevent snow particles from sticking to each other on the road surface. It prevents re-freezing more than it melts ice and tends to leave a slush that must be shoveled away.

Ultimately the damage to concrete comes from not from melting the ice it from altering the freezing point of water collected on the surface. The freeze/melt/refreeze cycle speeds up and this is what will damage concrete.  Once the concrete is compromised, the water can penetrate the surface and refreeze, causing ever greater damage.

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