Best Ice Melt Products to Withstand Utah Winters

Utah winters can be notoriously harsh, bringing cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions. For homeowners, business owners, and contractors alike, it’s crucial to have the right products on hand to maintain safety during the winter months. Whether it’s keeping sidewalks clear of ice or preventing accidents in parking lots, having the best ice melt salt and bulk road salt products available is essential to making it through the season with fewer headaches. With so many ice melt options on the market, from purple heat ice melt to Ice Bomb ice melt, selecting the right product can make all the difference.

At Kilgore Landscape Center in Salt Lake City, we offer a wide selection of ice melt products and even road salt in bulk used by cities and professionals. From high-traffic commercial areas to smaller walkways around your home, choosing the right ice melt is key. Here’s a guide to some of the best ice melt products that will stand up to Utah’s winter challenges, as well as some tips on how to use them effectively.

Why Ice Melt is Important for Winter Safety

When temperatures drop below freezing and snow begins to accumulate, ice quickly forms on roads, driveways, and walkways. This ice can lead to accidents, injuries, and vehicle damage. Ice melt products help by reducing the freezing point of water, allowing the ice to melt away and making surfaces safer to walk or drive on.

Different ice melt salt products are formulated to work in various temperature ranges and conditions. Some are fast-acting, while others provide long-lasting effects that keep surfaces ice-free for longer periods. Additionally, certain products are more environmentally friendly or safer for use around pets and landscaping, while others are designed to be more aggressive in breaking up thick layers of ice. Others offer features for controlled applications like Purple Heat Ice Melt.

Top Ice Melt Products for Utah Winters

1. Sodium Chloride in Type C Road Salt

One of the most common and affordable ice melt products is sodium chloride, also known as rock salt. It’s widely used for de-icing roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. Sodium chloride is effective in melting ice at temperatures down to about 15°F (-9°C). Its large, coarse granules make it easy to spread and provide a gritty texture that improves traction before the ice melts.

Kilgore Landscape Center offers Type C bulk road salt, priced at $45 per ton, making it an economical choice for both residential and commercial use. This product is designed to work well in larger in-bed salt spreaders and can melt ice down to 0°F (-18°C). It’s ideal for areas that experience frequent ice buildup.

While rock salt is effective in many cases, it can be harsh on concrete and may cause damage to plants if used excessively. That said, it remains a cost-effective solution for areas that experience frequent ice buildup. Some report however that Purple Heat Ice Melt is more effective than rock salt.

2. Calcium Chloride in Ice Bomb Ice Melt

Calcium chloride is another popular ice melt salt product that works at much lower temperatures than rock salt, down to -25°F (-32°C). This product attracts moisture from the air, allowing it to form a brine solution that melts ice quickly. Calcium chloride can break down even thick layers of ice, making it ideal for areas with extreme cold or heavy ice buildup.

Kilgore Landscape Center offers products like Ice Bomb ice melt formulated with calcium chloride and a few other ingredients. This extra coarse solar salt, dyed purple for controlled application, melts ice down to 0°F (-18°C) and is enhanced with calcium, magnesium, and potassium for additional melting power. This product is ideal for commercial applications and is environmentally friendly.

3. Magnesium Chloride in Type C Road Salt

For those looking for an eco-friendly option, magnesium chloride is a great choice. It’s effective at temperatures as low as -13°F (-25°C) and is less corrosive than sodium chloride or calcium chloride. This makes it a safer option for use around landscaping, pets, and sensitive surfaces.

Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center offers some products such as their Type C bulk road salt and their Purple Heat ice melt which contain a blend of magnesium chloride and other active ingredients, ensuring quick melting and long-lasting effects. This product is perfect for Utah's unpredictable winter conditions.

4. Purple Heat Ice Melt

One of the more innovative products available at Kilgore Landscape Center is Purple Heat. This product combines several high-performing ingredients to create a powerful de-icing solution. It’s designed to work in extremely cold temperatures, as low as -15°F (-26°C), making it perfect for the unpredictable and often harsh winters in Utah.

What sets Purple Heat apart from other ice melt salt products is its ability to show color as it works. As the product is spread, the purple dye helps to indicate where it’s been applied, reducing waste and ensuring even coverage. This feature is particularly useful for large areas or busy parking lots where thorough ice removal is critical.

In addition to its effectiveness, Purple Heat is designed to be less corrosive than traditional rock salt, meaning it’s safer for use around concrete, metal, and landscaping. For those who need a high-performance, low-maintenance solution, Purple Heat is an excellent option, priced at $9.75 per individual bag or $416.25 per Purple Heat pallet.

5. Polar Ice Melt

Another notable option is Polar Ice Melt, which is available in both individual bags and even in a full Polar Ice Melt pallet. This product features a blue dye for controlled application and is effective down to -25°F (-32°C). Its formulation is pet-friendly, concrete-friendly, and corrosion-resistant, making it a versatile choice for both residential and commercial applications.

Polar Ice Melt not only melts ice quickly like our Purple Heat ice melt but also protects surfaces, ensuring that your concrete, metal, and landscaping remain safe during harsh winter conditions. Kilgore's pricing for Polar Ice Melt is competitive, offering a reliable solution for your winter needs.

How to Use Ice Melt Salt Effectively

Even the best ice melt products won’t work as well if they aren’t applied correctly. Here are some tips to maximize their effectiveness:

• Apply Early: It’s always better to apply ice melt products before ice has a chance to form. Spreading ice melt before snow falls can help prevent ice from bonding to the surface, making removal easier.
• Don’t Overapply: Using too much ice melt can harm surfaces and nearby landscaping. Follow the product's instructions for the correct application rate to avoid overuse.
• Choose the Right Product: Different products work best in different conditions. For extremely low temperatures, products like calcium chloride or Purple Heat will outperform standard rock salt. For milder conditions, sodium chloride may be sufficient.
• Reapply After Storms: Depending on the weather, you may need to reapply ice melt during or after a snowstorm to maintain ice-free surfaces. Keep an eye on your walkways and driveways, especially after heavy snowfall.

Protecting Your Landscaping in Winter

While ice melt products like Purple Heat ice melt are necessary to keep surfaces safe, they can sometimes cause damage to nearby plants or garden beds. Sodium chloride, in particular, can dry out the soil and harm grass or shrubs if it seeps into surrounding areas. For homeowners with well-maintained yards or commercial properties with landscaping, this can be a concern.

If you’re worried about protecting your garden beds or lawn, there are some simple steps you can take:

1. Choose the Right Ice Melt: Opt for products like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride, which are less likely to harm plants compared to traditional rock salt.
2. Create Barriers: Use barriers like landscape fabric or sand to shield garden beds and sensitive plants from salt runoff.
3. Use Less Salt: Only apply ice melt salt where it’s absolutely necessary, such as high-traffic walkways and driveways. Avoid spreading it near landscaping unless absolutely required.

If you’re planning to enhance your yard next spring, Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center also offers a wide selection of garden bed landscaping products to help create beautiful, functional spaces. From topsoil to decorative rock, mulch, and gravel, they have everything you need to build a garden that looks great year-round.

Why Choose Kilgore Landscape Center for Your Ice Melt Needs?

As a trusted Salt Lake City supplier, Kilgore offers a wide variety of high-quality ice melt products to keep your home or business safe during the winter. From affordable sodium chloride to high-performance solutions like Purple Heat ice melt, Kilgore has the products you need to handle Utah’s cold weather.

Beyond ice melt, Kilgore provides a comprehensive selection of landscaping materials for every season, including sand, gravel, mulch, and garden bed supplies. Whether you’re preparing for winter or planning ahead for spring, Kilgore has everything you need to maintain a beautiful and functional landscape all year long.

Contact Kilgore Landscape Center Today

If you’re looking for the best ice melt salt products to tackle Utah’s winters, Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials Inc. is here to help. Visit their location at 7961 S 1300 W, West Jordan, UT 84088, or give them a call at (801) 561-4231 for more information about their products and services. Whether you're a homeowner or contractor, Kilgore has the right solution for you!