DE-ICERS & SNOW MELTERS |
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| Winter weather conditions often create a need for the application of de-icers to slippery sidewalks and driveways. Safety concerns take priority over potential damage to paved surfaces, lawns and landscape plants, which may result from the use of a de-icing product. | |
| The most common damage to concrete is called spalling, when
the concrete surface becomes pitted. Some de-icing products
cause less damage to pavement, and sealing concrete can help prevent
damage from de-icers. One defensive measure used by groundskeepers to minimize damage to lawns from de-icers is the application of gypsum (calcium sulfate) to lawn areas bordering sidewalks, driveways and streets. These applications are best made in the fall of the year, prior to the onset of winter weather and de-icer applications. Below is some information about the most commonly used de-icers. |
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Calcium Chloride |
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| Effective temperature | Down to
-25°F to -50°F Fast-acting at all temps, since it gives off heat as it dissolves. |
| Concrete | Doesn't attack concrete chemically. |
| Vegetation | Won't harm vegetation at the recommended rate. |
| Residue | No powdery residue. |
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Note: Sometimes used in roof gutters to melt ice dams. |
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Magnesium Chloride |
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| Effective temperature | Down to 5°F |
| Concrete | Increases the number of freeze-thaw cycles, which can damage concrete from freeze-induced expansion. Gradually attacks concrete chemically. |
| Vegetation | Environmentally safer than Calcium Chloride and Sodium Chloride, but does contain more chloride than other salty de-icers. |
| Residue | Tracks less than Calcium Chloride. |
Potassium Chloride |
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| Effective temperature | Down to 12°F |
| Concrete | Increases the number of freeze-thaw cycles, which can damage concrete from freeze-induced expansion. Doesn't attack concrete chemically. |
| Vegetation | One of the safer de-icers around vegetation. Considered environmentally safe. |
| Residue | Some white residue. |
| Notes | Requires higher application rate. |
NOTE:
Some suppliers offer a product combining Potassium Chloride
with Magnesium Chloride. LESCO calls their combination
product 'Lesco Melt II' and proclaim that it "ensures a fast
acting melt with long term performance."
Sodium Chloride - Rock Salt |
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| Effective temperature | Down to 20°F |
| Concrete | Increases the number of freeze-thaw cycles, which can damage concrete from freeze-induced expansion. Doesn't attack concrete chemically. |
| Vegetation | Sodium is harmful to vegetation. Most commonly used de-icer because of its lower cost. Loses its effectiveness below freezing temps. |
| Residue | Leaves a white powdery residue. |
| Notes | Mixed with calcium chloride to improve low-temp performance. |
Urea - Nitrogen fertilizer |
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| Effective temperature | Down to 15°F |
| Concrete | Increases the number of freeze-thaw cycles, which can damage concrete from freeze-induced expansion. Doesn't attack concrete chemically. |
| Vegetation | One of the safer de-icers around vegetation. Considered environmentally safe. |
| Residue | Some white residue. |
| Notes | Less corrosive to metals and rebar since it doesn't contain chloride. Requires higher application rate. |
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