Ice Melts 101: Don’t Slip Up This Winter

Ice Melts 101: Don’t Slip Up This Winter

Ice is an unavoidable part of winter, and it’s best to be prepared. At Lurvey, we have a variety of ice melt options to meet your needs regardless if you are trying to de-ice your home or large business parking lot. We can help if you’re dealing with higher temperatures or subzero temperatures. There are two main types of ice melts, it’s up to you which is the best fit for you!

Rock Salt (or Sodium Chloride)

Rock salt is among the least expensive products you’ll find that melts the ice, but it’s also among the harshest things you can apply for both your hardscape and softscape. It can be safe on pavers and natural stones when used in temperatures at or above 15 degrees Fahrenheit. At any lower temperature, rock salt begins to become ineffective. Although, when melting and refreezing is a concern, it is not best for pavers and natural stone because if the melted solution enters the porous stone and refreezes, it is at risk for spalling and cracking. Sodium chloride can be harmful to softscapes, because when it dissolves, it can burn the grass and shallow roots of trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Calcium Chloride

This type of ice melt is excellent for paver driveway and walkways. This product is extremely fast-acting as it begins melting ice on contact. This product works at the lowest temperature range and almost completely eliminates the chances of refreezing! These characteristics make it one of the best products to use on concrete and natural stone.

Whichever type of ice melt you use, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.

  • Safety first, always wear gloves when you apply the product. Chemicals in the ice melt can cause skin irritation. 
  • Follow the instructions on the package! Be careful that you don’t use too much.
  • Before you apply the ice melt, remove the accumulation of snow with a shovel. Don’t try to melt everything with the ice melt.
  • Ice melts will harden as they absorb moisture from the air. After you have applied the ice melt, make sure it’s stored with the container sealed tightly.

No matter which product meets your needs, we have a great selection of ice melts that’ll get the job done. Safety has to be the priority when it comes to ice, but you also need to think about what is best for your space and price range. If you want to know more, check out our Video Quick-Take,  give us a call, check out our website, and don’t forget to follow us on FacebookYouTube, and Instagram.

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