How Ice Melt Products Affect Your Hardscape & Landscape
Environmentally Friendly Deicers for Concrete, Asphalt & Pavers
In winter you work hard to keep your home and your family safe by clearing ice and snow from walkways and the driveway. Safe access means no slips or falls for you, your pets and your guests. So in addition to shovels and snow throwers, ice melt products are probably part of your winter weather preparedness. There is quite a selection of deicer and/or ice melt products available but beware that these deicing chemicals can take a toll on hardscaping as well as landscape plants. This includes not only the living landscape and animals, but also a home’s hardscape – the asphalt, brick, and concrete of the surroundings.
Know Your Options - The objective of all ice melt products is to reduce the freezing point of water and form brine. Deicers reach this goal in different ways and to varying degrees of success. While there are no perfect eco-friendly deicers, there are better choices you can make. There are three basic types of deicers out there, and each type has their own strengths and weaknesses: chloride-based deicers, acetate-based deicers, and carbohydrate-based deicers (see chart below).
Stay On the Safe Side - A few application guidelines will help to minimize damage to your landscape while using ice melting products. When considering ice melts and deicers, always look at the ingredients and be sure to use and store them according to manufacturer’s directions. First remove the snow and only use these products to melt the final remnants. The most important bit of advice is to USE SPARINGLY to decrease the harmful effects of these products. Apply ice melt using a calibrated spreader to ensure proper, even coverage per the manufacturer’s instructions. For better traction, don’t apply extra deicer - use kitty litter, coarse sand, perlite or some other gritty substance.
Make the Right Choice - When it comes time to choose the right ice melt for the task, it’s important to consider the impact on the environment. The sodium found in these deicing products displaces the plants’ minerals in the soil, and the chloride is absorbed through plant roots and carried to the leaves to wreak havoc on its metabolic processes. Above ground, the drying effects work against a plants’ abilities to withstand cold, dry winter conditions by damaging leaves and twigs. Deicing products containing magnesium are damaging to concrete and pavers to a greater extent than non-magnesium products. Chloride products are all corrosive to some degree and can create visible pockmarks and stains. Do not apply ice melt to wood decks or concrete that is less than a year old.
Mitigate Ice Melt Damage - The good news is that the effects of these chemicals can be reduced or repaired. When the weather warms, flush the hardscape and landscape foliage areas with water several times on a regular schedule. Lime can help repair salt damage in soil and works best if applied after core aeration. The gypsum dislodges the sodium, allowing the normal soil structure to be restored. You can also reduce the negative effects of these ice melt chemicals by combining with sand - a half & half mix can be very effective.
Wondering Which Ice Melt Product to Choose?
There is no one right answer since there are pros and cons to every product. In the end, the deicer for you will be what fits your personal choice and yet still removes the ice. One of our personal favorites is Calcium Magnesium Acetate ice melt for temperatures 20 degrees and above. It is one of the most environmental and pet friendliest deicers commonly available on the market. When you have colder weather, then Magnesium Chloride blends are your best options because they will work in very cold temperatures yet require a lot less product to get the job done. Always consider the impact the deicing product you plan to use has on the surroundings and follow the instructions on the label.
Seek Help From the Professionals at PINE BROOK LANDSCAPING
Proper use of Ice Melt products and a few follow up procedures can minimize or eliminate the damage done to your landscape as you meet winter’s challenges. PINE BROOK LANDSCAPING can provide these and other convenient and affordable landscaping maintenance services. We also offer landscape design & installation, hardscaping design & installation and lawn mowing services. With our quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, we have been serving residents in and around Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery County for almost 30 years. Our experts look forward to identifying your needs and delivering the options that will suit your preferences and budget. Click to contact Pine Brook Landscaping online or call 267-718-1771 and we will be in touch with you soon!
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