Ice melt is an excellent option for managing winter weather. Let us help you select the right ice melt for keeping your driveway, stairs, sidewalk and other surfaces slip-free.
Snow and Ice Melt Buying Guide 2024
When winter weather hits and you need to treat slick areas, such as icy sidewalks or steps, de-icer products are an effective option. They also make good companions to a snow blower by treating areas you can’t reach with the machine and dissolving any ice the snow blower leaves behind.
Snow and ice melt products come in three common application forms:
Pellets
Pea-sized and pea-shaped
Easily penetrate beneath the ice surface
Tend to roll away on sloped surfaces
Granules (Salt)
Irregularly shaped particles
Don’t roll as easily as pellets
Provide traction for driving and walking
Often turn to dust for easy cleanup
Liquid
Begins melting snow and ice quickly on contact
Used to melt and prevent ice and snow from sticking
Usually comes in a bucket with a sprayer applicator
Often a concrete-safe and pet-safe ice melt option
Active Ingredients in Ice Melt
The type of ice melt you choose should be based on several factors, including average outdoor temperature and if it’ll come in contact with plants, animals or children. Here are the most common ice melt active ingredients:
Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
Also known as ice melt salt/rock salt
Melts ice and snow by lowering the freezing point of water
Helps keep surfaces dry
Affordable
Provides traction
Corrosive and may damage concrete, wood and plants
Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)
Absorbs moisture from surroundings
Creates heat as it turns to liquid
Melts snow faster than sodium chloride (rock salt)
Concrete-safe
Works well in extreme cold
Can burn skin and harm pets
Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)
Needs to be applied in larger amounts compared to calcium chloride
Less corrosive (compared to rock salt)
Considered by many to be a pet-safe ice melt option
Easy cleanup
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)
Less corrosive (compared to rock salt)
Usually sold in liquid form
Biodegradable
Concrete-safe ice melt
Ice melt products are often a blend of two or more of these ingredients. Typically, the effectiveness of ice melt is reduced as the temperature drops. Be sure to refer to the product label to see if that ice melt will work in your particular climate.
