When winter hits, icy sidewalks, driveways, and roads can become major safety hazards. To address this, homeowners and businesses rely on various ice-melting products. The two most common choices are ice melt and rock salt. While both products serve a similar purpose, they differ in their composition, effectiveness, and environmental impact. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right option for your needs.
What is Rock Salt?
Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), is the most traditional and widely used ice-melting product. It has been used for centuries to manage icy conditions, primarily on roadways. This coarse, granular substance works by lowering the freezing point of water, which causes the ice to melt. As rock salt dissolves in the presence of moisture, it forms a brine that effectively breaks the bond between ice and surfaces, making it easier to remove.
Pros of Rock Salt:
- Cost-effective: Rock salt is widely available and generally inexpensive, making it a go-to choice for many. Available in bulk and bag form.
- Effective at lower temperatures: It works well in moderate winter temperatures and is especially useful when the temperature hovers around 15°F (-9°C).
Cons of Rock Salt:
- Not effective in extreme cold: Rock salt loses its ability to melt ice once temperatures drop below 15°F (-9°C), making it less effective in deep freezes.
- Corrosive: Rock salt can damage concrete, metal, and vegetation over time due to its high salt content. This can result in expensive repairs and harm to the environment.
- Environmental concerns: Excessive use of rock salt can harm soil quality, water sources, and plant life. The salt runoff can seep into local water systems, disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
What is Treated Rock Salt?
Treated salt refers to rock salt that has been enhanced with additional chemicals to improve its performance. These treatments are designed to make the salt more effective at lower temperatures, increase its ability to spread, and reduce its negative environmental impact.
Types of Additives for Rock Salt:
- Calcium Chloride: This is often mixed with rock salt to help it work at lower temperatures. Calcium chloride can melt ice at temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C), making it a more effective option in extremely cold conditions.
- Magnesium Chloride: Like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride helps rock salt work better in colder temperatures and is considered somewhat less harmful to the environment.
- Liquid Brine: Some treated salts are coated with liquid brine (a mixture of water and salt), which helps the salt spread more evenly and reduces the amount of salt needed.
Pros of Treated Salt:
- Works at Lower Temperatures: Treated salt is designed to remain effective in colder temperatures than untreated rock salt, often down to -25°F (-32°C).
- Less Corrosive: The treatments used to improve rock salt's effectiveness can also reduce its corrosiveness to surfaces like concrete and metal.
- Better Coverage and Efficiency: The liquid coatings on treated salts help it adhere to surfaces better, providing more uniform coverage and reducing the amount of salt needed.
Cons of Treated Salt:
- More Expensive: Treated salts are generally more costly than untreated rock salt due to the additional processing and chemicals involved.
- Environmental Concerns: While treated salts can be less damaging than pure rock salt, they still have environmental impacts. For example, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are still salts and can cause damage to plants, soil, and water sources if overused.
Rock salt and treated salt are usually put down in bulk using spreaders and is best for parking lots, roadways or other asphalt surfaces. Elmwood Bark and Stone carries both regular rock salt and treated rock salt at our location in West Hartford, CT.
What is Ice Melt?
Ice melt is a broader term that refers to various products designed to melt ice and snow. Unlike rock salt, which is almost exclusively sodium chloride, ice melt is often a blend of different chemicals, such as calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and potassium chloride (KCl). These combinations are specifically engineered to work in a variety of temperatures and to have less impact on the environment compared to rock salt.
Pros of Ice Melt:
- Works at lower temperatures: Depending on the ingredients, ice melt can continue to be effective at temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C). This makes it a better choice in areas with extreme cold.
- Less damaging to surfaces: Many ice melt products are designed to be less corrosive than rock salt. Calcium chloride, for example, is less damaging to concrete and metal.
- Environmentally friendly options: Some ice melt brands use less harmful ingredients, such as potassium chloride, which are less damaging to vegetation and water sources than sodium chloride.
Cons of Ice Melt:
- More expensive: Ice melt products tend to be pricier than rock salt, particularly those with environmentally friendly formulations.
- May still be harmful: Some ice melts can still cause damage to your hardscapes and landscaped areas generally to a lesser degree than rock salt.
Ice melt is usually used for walkways, steps, pavers, and other hard surfaces to help prevent harm to surfaces and pets. Because its usually sold in bag form and its higher price point, it is not used for large areas like parking lots and roadways.
Elmwood Bark and Stone carries two different types of ice melts at our location in West Hartford, CT. For those who are worried about their pets we carry a product called Green Scapes™ it is an environmentally friendly ice melt made from a blend of magnesium chloride and Ice Ban. It is safe for use around vegetation and animals. We also carry a product called Industrial Blue that contractors love. It is a lower-cost ice melt made from calcium chloride pellets and safe for hardscapes.
Which One Should You Choose?
When deciding between ice melt and rock salt, consider your needs:
- Rock salt is the more practical solution for driveways, parking lots, and roadways. It can also be used for asphalt walkways where plants and vegetation are not of concern.
- Ice melt is the better option for any concrete or other non-asphalt surfaces that are heavy with foot traffic.
- If you are concerned about environmental impact or want to avoid damage to your property, look for eco-friendly ice melts that are specifically designed to be less harmful to plants and animals.
No matter which product you choose, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it sparingly to avoid overuse and minimize negative effects on your surfaces and the environment. Elmwood Bark and Stone delivers bulk salt, both regular and treated to West Hartford and surrounding towns such as Newington, Berlin, New Britain, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Glastonbury, Farmington, Avon, Canton, and Simsbury. Please call us at 860-245-1185 to place a delivery or you can go to our home page www.elmwoodbark.com to place an order online.