Road Salt vs. Ice Melt Salt: What’s the Best Choice for Your Property?

Winter weather in Utah brings icy roads, slippery sidewalks, and frozen driveways. For property owners, contractors, and landscapers, choosing the right deicing product guarantees safety and effectiveness. There are plenty of options on the market, but the most common debate is between road salt and ice melt salt. Each has its strengths and ideal use cases, but knowing which one works best for your needs can save time, money, and effort.

Understanding Road Salt

Road salt, or rock salt, is the traditional choice for combating ice and snow. Science Direct notes that usually “98% of it is sodium chloride (NaCl)” and works by lowering the freezing point of water, preventing ice from bonding to surfaces. Bulk road salt like Kilgore’s Type C White Bulk Road Salt is a go-to solution for highways, parking lots, and driveways that need large-scale coverage.

Pros of Using Road Salt:

• Cost-Effective: One of the biggest advantages of road salt is its affordability. It is widely available and inexpensive, making it a smart choice for large areas.

• Effective in Mild Winter Conditions: It works well in temperatures down to about 15°F, which is helpful in regions where extreme cold is rare.

• Provides Traction: The coarse texture of road salt offers additional grip, reducing slip hazards even before it fully melts the ice.

Cons of Using Road Salt:

• Limited Effectiveness in Low Temperatures: Once temperatures drop below 15°F, road salt becomes much less effective. In extremely cold weather, other deicers will work better.

• Corrosive to Metal and Concrete: Sodium chloride is known to accelerate rust on vehicles and damage concrete over time. Regular maintenance like car washes is needed to prevent long-term damage.

• Environmental Impact: Runoff from road salt can affect soil quality, plant health, and local waterways, making it a less eco-friendly choice.

What Makes Ice Melt Salt Different?

Ice melt salt is a broad category that includes many chemical blends designed to work at lower temperatures than standard road salt or bulk road salt. Products include: Polar Ice Melt, Ice Bomb Ice Melt and Purple Heat Ice Melt. It often contains a mix of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride, combining to melt ice and snow faster and more efficiently.

Advantages of Ice Melt Salt:

• Works at Lower Temperatures: Depending on the product, ice melt can stay effective in temperatures as low as -25°F, making it better for harsh winter conditions.

• Faster Acting: Many ice melt products work quicker than road salt, creating immediate results and reducing the risk of ice buildup.

• Less Harmful to Surfaces: Compared to traditional rock salt, ice melt is often formulated to be less damaging to concrete, metal, and the environment.

Disadvantages of Ice Melt Salt:

• More Expensive: Higher effectiveness comes at a price—ice melt products tend to cost slightly more than standard road salt.

• Potential for Residue: Some ice melt blends leave behind a slushy or oily residue, which you may want to cleanup before tracking it inside.

• Varied Performance: Not all ice melt products are the same. Some work faster, while others have different melting ranges. Calling Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center and asking them which product they recommend for your situation will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Choosing Between Road Salt and Ice Melt Salt

When deciding between these two options, consider the following factors:

• Temperature Conditions: If winter temperatures in your area regularly fall below 15°F, which they often do in Utah, then ice melt salt is the better choice. For milder climates, road salt can be just as effective.

• Surface Type: If you’re treating a concrete driveway, sidewalks, or metal surfaces, ice melt products with calcium or magnesium chloride may be a safer option. Road salt can cause some surface damage over time.

• Budget Considerations: For large-scale areas like parking lots or long driveways, bulk road salt is by far the most cost-effective solution. However ice melt products, while more expensive, may be worth the investment for high-traffic areas where safety is a big concern.

• Environmental Concerns: Ice melt formulas with calcium chloride or magnesium chloride tend to have less of an environmental impact than traditional road salt, which is important to consider if working with sensitive soil and water sources.

Ice Melt Salt Product: Purple Heat Ice Melt

For those looking for a popular ice melt salt product, Purple Heat Ice Melt is a high-performance option. It combines a fast-acting formula with a visually distinct purple color, making it easy to see where it has been applied.

Pros of Purple Heat Ice Melt Salt:

• Works in Extreme Cold: Designed to be effective in temperatures as low as -20°F, it’s a reliable option for harsh winters.

• Quick Activation: Melts ice faster than traditional rock salt, reducing slip and slide hazards in high-traffic areas.

• Color Visibility: The purple hue from the ice melt salt helps you apply it evenly, so you never use more than you need.

• Safer on Surfaces: Compared to standard road salt, Purple Heat Ice Melt is designed to minimize damage to concrete and metal surfaces.

Road Salt Product: Type C White Bulk Road Salt

For those managing large-scale snow and ice removal, Type C Bulk Road Salt is an effective and affordable option. This high-quality road salt is specially processed for a consistent granule size, which can be even distributed in salt spreaders.

Pros of Type C Bulk Road Salt:

• Reliable Performance: This road salt works well in temperatures down to 15°F, making it a go-to product for most winter conditions.

• Cost-Effective for Large Areas: Buying in bulk reduces costs, which is great for large parking lots, roadways, and commercial spaces that need regular applications.

• Blended for Consistency: Type C Bulk Road Salt is screened to keep even granule sizes for a better application with little to no clumping.

• Compatible with Pre-Wetting Treatments: This salt can be combined with liquid deicers to improve bonding and performance on road surfaces.

Best Practices for Applying Deicing Products

Regardless of which product you choose, following best practices can maximize effectiveness and reduce waste:

1. Pre-Treat Surfaces: Applying a small amount of deicer before snowfall can help prevent ice from bonding to surfaces.

2. Use the Right Amount: Overusing ice melt salt or road salt can create unnecessary damage to surfaces and plants. Follow manufacturer guidelines for proper application rates.

3. Distribute Evenly: A spreader can help an even coverage, so there’s not excessive buildup in certain areas.

4. Store Properly: Keep deicing products in a dry, airtight container to prevent clumping so you can use them long-term.

5. Clean Up Residue: After ice melts, sweeping away excess salt or ice melt can help protect surfaces and stop people from tracking it indoors.

Final Thoughts

Both road salt and ice melt salt have their place in winter maintenance. Road salt is a budget-friendly option for large areas, while ice melt products work better in colder temperatures. For people wanting a high-efficiency ice melt salt solution, Purple Heat Ice Melt is our most popular product because it melts fast and protects surfaces. Our Type C White Bulk Road Salt is an effective and affordable option for large areas where bulk road salt is needed.

Understanding why you would choose one product over another will help you make the right choice for your property to keep people safe and surfaces accessible all winter long. Whether you’re a contractor managing multiple job sites or a homeowner looking to clear your driveway, call Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center and ask them which product will work best for you.