5 Best Ice Melts For New Concrete: Safe And Effective Options
Selecting the right ice melt for new concrete is crucial to ensure safety without causing damage to your property. It’s important to understand that not all ice melts are suitable for new concrete and some can be harmful to pets. This guide will highlight five ice melt products that are both safe for new concrete and pet-friendly, discuss the drawbacks of traditional salt and chloride-based ice melts and recommend the innovative traction agent, Walk On Ice.
Understanding The Impact Of Salt And Chloride-Based Ice Melts
Traditional ice melts, often containing salt (sodium chloride) or other chloride compounds like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride, can be damaging to new concrete. These materials can cause concrete to deteriorate faster due to their corrosive nature. Furthermore, they can be harmful to pets if ingested and can irritate their paws.
Safe Paw
Safe Paw is an ice melt pet safe and excellent option for new concrete surfaces. This ice melt product is both pet-safe and environmentally friendly, offering a non-corrosive formula that is effective even at low temperatures of -2°F. Its long shelf life and excellent spread rate make it a practical and safe choice.
Disclaimer: Safe Paw is the only ice melt that can be rightfully labeled as pet-safe, meaning it is safe even if ingested by pets. It is chloride-free and non-toxic. However, we do not recommend using any ice melt (including Safe Paw) on concrete which is less than 12 months of age.
Walk On Ice: A Natural Traction Agent
While not a traditional ice melt, Walk On Ice is a highly effective traction agent that provides instant traction on all icy surfaces. It’s especially useful when traditional ice melts fail or take time to activate. Made from 100% natural materials, it is safe for new concrete, pets, people, and the environment. Walk On Ice works in temperatures as low as -35 degrees C and is a great alternative to salt and chloride-based products.
Green Gobbler Pet-Safe Ice Melt
Green Gobbler’s ice melt contains calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. While marketed for pet safety, the presence of these chlorides can still pose risks to concrete surfaces and may contribute to soil and waterway contamination. Caution is advised when using on new concrete.
Get ready for winter with Walk On Ice instant traction on snow and ice
Midwest Salt Bulk Rock Salt
Midwest Salt’s product contains sodium chloride and magnesium chloride. These chemicals can be detrimental to new concrete due to its corrosive nature. Additionally, these compounds can be harmful to pets if ingested and can contribute to environmental pollution.
Diamond Crystal Winter Melt Ice Melt
Diamond Crystal’s Winter Melt is primarily sodium chloride, which can accelerate the deterioration of new concrete. It poses a risk to pets if ingested and can contribute to environmental issues, such as soil salinity and water pollution.
Conclusion
When choosing an ice melt for new concrete, it’s crucial to consider products that are effective yet gentle on surfaces and safe for pets. While traditional salt and chloride-based ice melts are common, they carry risks of damaging new concrete and harming pets. Products like Safe Paw and Walk On Ice provide safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives, ensuring your surfaces are protected and your pets are safe during the winter months. Remember, choosing the right ice melt for new concrete is not only about melting ice but also about preserving your property and ensuring the safety of your loved ones and pets.
Other Ice Melt Products
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. All products are made in the USA.
Safe Thaw
Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids, and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.