FAQ: What Is The Best Deicer For Concrete?

How do you melt ice without damaging concrete?

Rock salt and other salt-containing deicers will melt snow and ice and, as with concrete, encourage water to seep in through surface pores. The freeze-thaw cycle takes over from there, and as asphalt is rather brittle in the winter time, the damage can be quite significant.

What type of ice melt is safe for concrete?

Experts agree that calcium chloride is the best ice melt for concrete surfaces. Being a hygroscopic compound, it absorbs moisture and thereafter, starts dissolving. The dissolving process is exothermic and generates heat of up to 60 degrees Celsius.

Is there an ice melt that won’t damage concrete?

Good ice melt choices for concrete are Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride. While Potassium Chloride is good for the environment it damages the concrete and typically costs 3-5 times more. These de-icers will not melt large quantities of snow or ice that has already fallen – for that you will need to shovel.

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What kind of salt does not damage concrete?

Magnesium chloride is a great choice! While magnesium chloride is more expensive than sodium chloride and calcium chloride, it is less likely to damage your concrete or your lawn. This type of salt only works in temperatures down to 0° F, which is better than sodium chloride but not quite as good as calcium chloride.

Does Ice Melt ruin concrete?

It is not recommend that ice melter be used on damaged concrete. Damaged concrete will absorb the water [melted ice] more readily since its ‘seal’ has been broken and therefore can be more susceptible to damage. It is best to reseal or treat your damaged concrete as mentioned earlier, before using any ice melter on it.

How do you melt ice quickly?

In a bucket, combine a half-gallon of hot water, about six drops of dish soap, and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol. Once you pour the mixture onto your sidewalk or driveway, the snow and ice will begin to bubble up and melt. Just keep a shovel handy to scrape away any leftover pieces of ice.

Does Salt destroy concrete?

The answer is yes, salt does indirectly damage your concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don’t just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored, cracked and crumbling concrete.

Is calcium chloride safe to use on new concrete?

Concrete manufacturers recommend using only sand and a shovel on new concrete! Lowering the melting point creates a water salt brine and helps the liquid from refreezing and creating pressure that cracks the concrete. DO NOT USE Calcium Chloride (CaCl), the common white pellet melter.

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What do I put on new concrete for ice?

Substitute a deicer with sand



While keeping your concrete protected is important, so is eliminating slip and fall hazards from ice. Applying plain sand on new concrete can help provide some traction and avoid slippery walks. Sand is the only safe material to make concrete surfaces skid-resistant.

Does calcium chloride ice melt damage concrete?

What’s Best For Concrete



As the number of freeze/thaw cycles increases, it can contribute to damage. Independent testing of commonly used deicers has shown that calcium chloride is the least harmful to concrete (excluding Sodium Acetate and Calcium Magnesium Acetate) after 500 freeze/thaw cycles.

How long does it take for salt to damage concrete?

It can take up to one year for concrete to fully “dry out.” Therefore, concrete in its first year is more susceptible to the pressures of freeze/thaw cycles. Salt products do provide ice control, but many of the products on today’s market attract water to the surface long after the ice has been removed.

Does vinegar melt ice on sidewalk?

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the melting point of water – preventing water from freezing. If you come out in the morning to a frozen car window and then spray the mixture on it, it might help to loosen the ice slightly.

What can I use instead of salt on concrete?

7 (Better) Alternatives to Salt for De-Icing

  • Sand. Sand not only absorbs sunlight, which can help snow and ice melt, but it also adds traction so that your friends and family don’t slip and fall.
  • Kitty Litter.
  • Vinegar.
  • Sugar Beet Juice.
  • Alfalfa Meal.
  • Coffee Grinds.
  • Calcium Chloride.
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When should I add salt to my driveway?

Rock salt is meant to be put down before snow falls, and keeps it from sticking to the surface, says Nichols. “But most people shovel, get it clear, then put down the salt. If you salt and then get snow on top it can turn to mush underneath and then it gets hard to shovel.”

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