Don’t Deice Your Driveway: Read This First
Ice causes headaches for everyone, and that includes the people responsible for removing it. Slip and fall accidents are dangerous and costly. While you might be busy looking for an industrial ice melt for your facility, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes. When you want to select the best ice melter, you need to keep in mind every aspect of its usage. Let’s uncover these common mistakes business owners make while deicing their driveways.
Mistake #1
Using ice melt on new concrete
Most of the industrial ice melt brands have sodium chloride in their blend. Rock salt is also 98% sodium chloride. The reason why rock salt is so popular is that it’s the cheapest choice. But the biggest con associated with rock salt is it is not a concrete-safe ice melt.
Calcium chloride ice melt for industrial use is also quite common. Moreover, the chloride-based compounds, including calcium chloride ice melt for industrial use are corrosive and damage your concrete driveway.
If your concrete is less than a year old, choose an ice melt safe for new concrete. As your new concrete is not fully set and is more susceptible to harsh chemicals found in salt.
Some packages also warn that you should not use a de-icing agent on any new concrete that is less than 12 months old as it may end up cracking it or damaging it. You must seal gaps and crevices in the concrete or on any surface with a top-quality sealant to lessen the damage.
Mistake #2
Not using the required amount
Reading application directions is vital while using any ice melt product. All the instructions are clearly written on the package itself to make it easier for you. Most of the time people use an inappropriate amount of the product and then complain about the damages or inefficiency of the product. The reality is every ice melt works differently in different circumstances, and therefore you must use the amount mentioned on the packaging.
Mistake #3
Not following the instructions
Most of the ice melt products in the market have chloride. Therefore, they act as skin irritants, especially if you are using magnesium chloride or calcium chloride ice melt. Most of the time, the instructions clearly state the use of gloves while applying them. In addition, it consecutively warns the use of the product on the roof to melt ice as it may damage the material.
Mistake #4
Using the wrong ice melt
Heat-releasing deicers that melt ice work the quickest but can also damage your surface due to rapid expansion and contraction.
For example- Some exothermic deicers work down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit while others work down to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. In each case, the type of chloride used and the heat absorbed from the sun will determine its performance.
There are a few brands such as Safe Thaw that are free of any chloride, are 100% salt-free, and concrete safe. Salt-free, chloride-free ice melt like Safe Thaw would neither corrode vehicles nor rust your machinery. It’s safe to use on the driveway, sidewalk, and parking lots.
100% salt & chloride-free, fast acting Ice Management Solution
Conclusion
Using an ice melt according to your area, climate requirement, and environment will go a long way to determine its effectiveness. Newer ‘green’ or environment-friendly ice melts are less harmful to the vegetation, animals, and concrete.
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 – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Walk On Ice
Prevent slips at home, work or on the go, with the 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as instant traction agent for your car’s tires.
