How to Apply Ice Melt Salt Like a Pro (And Stop Wasting Money)

Utah’s famously snowy winters can be beautiful—until the snow packs down, the temperatures drop, and your driveway turns into a skating rink. According to the CDC, more than 1 million people are injured in slip-and-fall accidents each year. It goes to show winter safety is no joke.

That’s when ice melt salt becomes an essential tool for keeping your property safe. But despite what some might think, more salt does not always equal better results. In fact, most people apply far more ice melt than they need, wasting money and sometimes damaging concrete, landscaping, and the environment in the process.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, part of Asphalt Materials, we've supplied homeowners, municipalities, and commercial contractors across the Wasatch Front with high-quality road salts and premium ice melt products for over four decades. With our reliable, concrete safe ice melt solutions, we’ve seen first-hand what works and what doesn’t. Below, we share how to apply ice melt salt effectively, efficiently, and professionally so you can stay safe this winter while saving money.

1. Understand What Ice Melt Actually Does

Before you can apply ice melt like a pro, it helps to know what these products are designed to do.

Ice melt works by lowering the freezing point of water, creating a brine that helps break the bond between ice and the pavement. This makes removal easier and helps prevent new ice from forming. But even the best ice melts aren’t meant to evaporate snow or completely replace shoveling when you’re preparing your yard for winter.

If you’re dumping pounds of road salts on thick ice, expecting it to disappear, you’re using it wrong. Here’s a pro tip: use ice melt as part of a full snow-management plan. Shovel or plow first, then apply salt where needed.

2. Don’t Apply Too Much

Most homeowners use 2–3 times more ice melt than necessary, simply because they’ve never learned the correct application rate. A good general guideline for pellet or granular ice melt is:

• ½ cup per 10 square feet, or
  
  

• 1–4 pounds per 1,000 square feet, depending on the severity of the ice.
  
  

How to Know You’re Using Too Much

• You can see large piles or clusters of pellets
  
  

• Pellets bounce into landscaping
  
  

• You can still see the product on the surface after a full melt cycle
  
  

• You notice concrete spalling or surface flaking over time
  
  

• Pets track salt into the house (a common sign of over-salting)
  
  

Over-application isn’t just wasteful—it can be harmful. Even concrete safe ice melt works best in the correct quantities.

3. Spread Ice Melt Evenly

Professional salt road applicators use spreaders to distribute ice melt evenly and at the correct rate. However, you probably don’t need a commercial spreader for smaller jobs. A basic handheld or walk-behind spreader works great for most residential sidewalks and driveways, and costs far less than the money saved on reduced product use.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, our team can help you determine which spreader type works best for your property.

4. Choose the Right Ice Melt for Your Surface and Temperature

Not all ice melts are the same. Some work at lower temperatures, some are safer for pets, and some are designed to protect concrete or natural stone. Using the wrong formula for your situation means you either won’t get results, or you’ll harm your surfaces.

At our Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer several premium options, including Purple Heat Ice Melt and bulk road salt. If you’re not sure which to choose, give us a call, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

5. Apply Ice Melt Before Ice Forms When Possible

This is a pro-level trick most homeowners never learn. If you spread ice melt before a storm hits, it prevents snow from bonding to the pavement and makes shoveling easier later. This is called anti-icing, and municipalities use it because it dramatically reduces material usage.

Applying ice melt after snow and ice have already formed is called de-icing, which requires more product.

6. After Ice Melts, Sweep Up Leftover Product

Once temperatures rise and your ice melt has done its job, sweep up any remaining granules.

Why?

• You can reuse leftover product (saving money!)
  
  

• It keeps salt out of soil, lawns, and water systems
  
  

• It reduces long-term risk that can damage a driveway
  
  

• It keeps pets’ paws safe and prevents them from tracking granules indoors
  
  

7. Store Your Ice Melt Properly for Next Time

Ice melt salt absorbs moisture from the air. If it clumps, it loses effectiveness.

To keep your supply performing like new:

• Store in a sealed container
  
  

• Keep in a cool, dry location
  
  

• Avoid leaving bags outside or on damp garage floors
  
  

• Reclose bags securely after each use
  
  

Keeping the product fresh improves performance and reduces how much you need to use each storm.

8. Protect Concrete and Asphalt with the Right Techniques

Because we operate both an asphalt plant and a concrete recycling facility at Asphalt Materials, we’ve seen what improper ice melt use can do.

To keep surfaces safe:

• Avoid using salt on freshly poured concrete (less than 12 months old)
  
  

• Use concrete-safe formulas, like Purple Heat
  
  

• Don’t over-apply
  
  

• Remove softened slush promptly
  
  

• Reseal your concrete every few years
  
  

If you’re unsure what’s safe, the team at our Salt Lake Landscape Center can help you choose the right product for your surface.

9. Buy Ice Melt in the Right Quantities

Purchasing smaller bags repeatedly during the winter adds up fast. Many Utah homeowners and businesses can save money by purchasing bulk road salt or larger quantities at once.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we offer:

• Bagged ice melt
  
  

• Pallet quantities
  
  

• Bulk road salt
  
  

• Pickup and delivery options
  
  

Buying the right amount at the start of winter helps you avoid shortages, price spikes, and frequent trips.

10. Trust a Local Supplier with Over 40 Years of Experience

Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials isn’t just a supplier—we’re a locally owned Utah company with roots going back to 1975. We’ve spent decades helping homeowners, business owners, and municipalities manage winter conditions efficiently and safely.

If you're searching for road salt near you, we’re here to help all winter long.

Using Less Ice Melt Doesn’t Mean Doing Less

When you apply ice melt salt correctly, you don’t just save money—you also extend the life of your concrete, protect your landscaping, and reduce your environmental footprint.

For premium ice melt products, bulk road salt, or expert advice, stop by our West Jordan location or call 801-561-4231 to schedule pickup or delivery.