How To Deal With Ice Melt Damage On Your Driveway
If you’re reading this article, it’s likely because you’ve just noticed some damage to your driveway or sidewalk. Maybe you were walking out the door at 6 a.m. on a cold morning and noticed patches of concrete along your walkway that look different from the rest of the surface. Or maybe you had guests over for dinner who remarked about how icy the sidewalk was when they left.
Either way, you’ve got a problem that needs fixing before winter sets in again. But don’t worry: we’ll explain what causes ice melt damage and how to fix it (including using concrete-safe ice melt products) so that next year’s snow and ice won’t destroy your landscaping.
What Causes Ice Melt Damage?
In general, ice melt damage occurs because of excessive use or misuse. Using a product with too high a salt content can cause damage to your driveway, especially if you have a concrete driveway. If you have an asphalt driveway, using ice melt products with a high magnesium chloride content may also damage. The same goes for calcium chloride and potassium chloride products—these can be harmful to driveways as well.
How Can I Prevent Ice Melt Damage?
Preventing ice melt damage is the best way to deal with it. Here are some tips for preventing damage:
- Use ice melt products carefully when you shovel snow and ice from your driveway or sidewalk.
- Use chemical-free concrete ice melt products. Safe Thaw is one such product. It is a urea-based concrete-safe ice melt that works gently on your concrete and driveways without harming them. It is free from any toxic chemicals and is safe for all surfaces.
- Apply only one small area at a time to see if there is any reaction (cracking, chipping). If there’s no reaction, continue applying more of the product until you’ve covered all areas needing treatment (or call an expert for assistance).
Use concrete ice melt products carefully to avoid damage to your concrete.
While ice melt products can be very effective in melting snow and ice, chemical-based ice melt can cause damage to your concrete driveway. The key to using melting snow on driveway is using a concrete safe ice melt like Safe Thaw.
Do Your Homework Before Scattering
When shopping for an ice melt product, make sure that it’s designed for use on concrete surfaces. Also, make sure the product is water-soluble because snow and ice usually melt within a few days after application. Companies that manufacture this type of product usually provide labels with detailed instructions about how much you should use per square foot as well as how often you should reapply the mixture after each storm passes through your region.
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Conclusion
Ice melt damage is a common problem in the winter, and it can be avoided. By taking the time to educate yourself about the various products available and how best to use them, you can avoid costly repairs down the line.
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe –It won’t harm animals or children, and it won’t damage your property. That’s Safe Paw. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Walk On Ice
The handy disposable canister can be taken everywhere, with the same 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as an instant traction agent for your car.
