While ice melts reliably protect the roof during the freezing winter, some brands can damage concrete surfaces at your home, including roofs, driveways, pathways, and patios.
They can cause noticeable pits and cracks that will badly mar your home’s appearance. And worse than that, the melted ice or snow can make the ground slippery too.
Thankfully, there are certain ice melts that are safe for use on concrete. So, we’ll list and detail them to help you know which one to get!
1) Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is super effective as an ice melt, which is why a lot of homeowners opt for this option.
It works in extremely low temperatures down to -40℉ and acts quickly upon use unlike other kinds of ice melts.
Best of all, this gentle compound clears away all the snow and ice dams off your roof. It’s also less damaging to concrete paving, driveways, roofs, and the environment.
2) Potassium Chloride
Pound for pound less expensive than calcium chloride, potassium chloride is another great ice melt choice!
Though slower-acting, it doesn’t corrode concrete paths and driveways nor harm animals and plants. Plus, it prevents ice dam formation on the roof.
So if the city you live in faces a less brutal winter, we suggest using potassium chloride given the fact it can work down to low temperatures of -12℉.
3) Calcium Magnesium Acetate
An even more affordable ice melt that’s safe for concrete is calcium magnesium acetate. It comes in the form of small granules to target snow and ice-laden areas of your home.
It’s harmless to animals, flowers, and plants, having been made from acetic acid, the principal ingredient of vinegar.
The difference between calcium magnesium acetate and the other ice melt types is the former is more suited as an additive. In other words, it can finish up the work of a more powerful ice melt.
4) Coarse Coffee Grounds
Don’t want to spend your money? Then you can go homemade for your ice melt.
For this, coarse coffee grounds can work fine.
Coarse coffee grounds are effective for small areas, and you can sprinkle them from a jar or with your bare hands. They are safe and non-toxic for pets and children and can actually benefit your garden plants and lawn.
An excellent natural ice melt, they can also absorb heat and light. However, you shouldn’t overuse them, as they can stain your concrete path and driveway.
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