Traditionally, many turn to salt-based products to handle the task of melting snow, but these solutions can bring unintended damage to your home, the environment, and even your pets. While effective in reducing ice, salt-based deicers have serious downsides that are becoming harder to ignore.
“Many traditional ice melts contain chemicals like sodium chloride and calcium chloride, which can be harmful to both your property and your furry friends. That’s why switching to a pet-safe ice melt is essential for responsible pet owners who want to protect their pets while still maintaining a safe, ice-free environment.
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It was a typical winter morning, and like most homeowners in Canada, I had a driveway covered with a thick sheet of ice. My usual go-to product for this was calcium chloride ice melt. I’d always believed that it was a reliable, fast-acting option for clearing ice and snow. After all, it was marketed as highly effective, especially in extremely low temperatures.
Understanding the chemical makeup and how these products work can help you make a more informed decision about which ice melting solution is right for your home.
Ice melt salt is and has been for a long time a standard solution for many Canadians as an alternative to using traditional deicers. They simply are ice melters, right? But they also have hidden costs for your property and the planet.
Traditionally, rock salt and similar chemical de-icers have been the go-to solution for preventing icy surfaces. However, while effective at melting snow and ice, these products come with a host of hidden risks that can negatively impact your home, pets, vehicles, and the environment.
While this quick solution may seem inexpensive at first glance, the hidden costs can add up over time—both in terms of your wallet and the environment. Below are some surprising ways ice melt salt could be costing you more than you realize.
I didn’t think much of it at first, but over time, the cracks widened, and small chunks of concrete started breaking away. It was clear that something was wrong, and I suspected that my frequent use of salt might be the culprit. Little did I know, this common winter solution was slowly destroying my driveway.
As a Canadian homeowner, I used to spread winter salt on my driveway every winter without giving it a second thought. Like many, I believed it was the easiest and most effective way to keep the ice at bay. Little did I know, though, that the winter salt I was using was doing much more than melting ice—it was slowly wreaking havoc on more than just my driveway.
While these ice melters may seem like convenient and cost-effective solutions, there are several hidden downsides to using mass-produced products. Here’s why these ice melters might be doing more harm than good, and what you should consider before your next purchase.