Ice melt: Do’s and Dont’s

 

No one enjoys the pain of frozen skin, and ice melt can help prevent it. But there are some things you should know before using ice melt on your walkway, driveway, or even patio. This blog post will cover all the information you need to know about how to use this product safely and effectively.

 

Do the following:

 

Follow all the instructions.

You must always follow the instructions that come with your ice melt product. Do not add water or mix any other ingredients into it, and don’t use it on anything but where you intend to do so.

 

Make sure what you’re using is actually meant for walkways/driveways/pavements. Not all salt products are safe for every surface: some may be corrosive and will damage concrete or stone surfaces; others might stain wood decks and wooden stairs.

 

Apply it at the right time

Do not apply it too early or when it is too late. While pre-salting is recommended, this should be done at least 24 hours before the first snowfall. If it snows again soon after, you’ll need to wait an extra day or two for your walkway/driveway/pavement area to be safe again.

 

Be sure not to apply ice melt too late either: You should never use ice melt if temperatures are above 20 degrees Fahrenheit (or -17 Celsius).

 

While this will help prolong its life and effectiveness, there is no point in using it when conditions would otherwise only require de-icing salt, which doesn’t work as well on frozen surfaces but can handle any other weather condition much better than ice melts can.

 

Choose your products wisely.

There are different types of ice melt, and as noted, each one may not be compatible with all surfaces. If you have a question about whether or not it is safe to use on your chosen surface, check the product description and/or contact customer service before using it.

 

Doing so will help prevent any damage that might occur from using an ice melt meant for one type of surface when you’re actually trying to de-ice another.

 

Be sure to read the label and follow any directions it might contain for use, such as whether or not you should hose down your walkway/driveway/pavement area after applying ice melt or if there’s anything else that needs to be done before using it.

 

Don’t go cheap on this either: while some brands may seem less expensive than others, they can actually work worse because their concentration is lower, so they will leave behind more residue when melted by foot traffic which could damage surfaces over time.

 

Do check out reviews online about whatever brand of ice melt you intend to buy and see what other customers have experienced with them first.

 

Don’t do the following:

 

Apply too much product

Do not apply too much ice melt than it is necessary to do so. As mentioned, follow all instructions on how much you can apply to which surface, and do not add water to ice melt unless specifically instructed by the manufacturer.

 

Store ice melt improperly.

Ice melt can degrade over time and harden if stored improperly, so store it in an airtight container and always keep it away from children and pets.

 

Don’t use it on surfaces that aren’t intended for ice melt. Using the wrong type of ice melt can damage your walkway/driveway/pavement area and cause a safety hazard by making it more slippery than usual, so only ever use an ice melt meant to be used in these ways if you intend to do so.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Ice melt is helpful, but it needs to be handled carefully as well. Make sure you know what type of ice melt product to use on which surfaces and always make sure there is no snow or ice anywhere before applying it.

 

Check out our range of ice melt products that are trusted for their quality and performance at affordable prices.

Ice melt: Do’s and Dont’s