What Ice Melt Salt Should I Use That Won't Damage a Driveway?

Winter brings challenges for homeowners and businesses trying to keep driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots safe. While ice melt salt is great for preventing slips and falls, the wrong type can cause concrete damage, leaving behind cracks, flaking, and long-term deterioration.

Choosing the right concrete safe ice melt can help clear your driveway without harming the surface. Kilgore Landscape Center offers several ice melt products that provide strong deicing performance while being safer for concrete, asphalt, and landscaping.

How Ice Melt Can Damage Driveways

Some road salts are too harsh for certain surfaces, leading to:

• Freeze-thaw damage – The University of Illinois found that “concrete is susceptible to damage by many cycles of freezing and thawing” where water from melted ice seeps into small cracks in concrete and the water refreezes, expanding the cracks.

• Surface flaking (spalling) – Some deicers remove moisture from concrete, leading to flaking and deterioration.

• Residue buildup – Some ice melts leave behind stains, corrode metal, or harm vegetation.

If you have new concrete (less than a year old), it is especially important to use a driveway-safe ice melt to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

Best Ice Melt Products for Driveways

Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center has ice melt salt products that can clear ice without causing major damage to concrete or asphalt. Here’s a look at the best options:

1. Purple Heat Ice Melt

Purple Heat Ice Melt is a concrete safe ice melt that works in sub-zero temperatures while being gentler on driveways than standard rock salt.

✅ Melts ice at temperatures as low as -15°F
✅ Concrete-safe when used as directed
✅ Environmentally and pet-friendly
✅ Non-staining purple dye for controlled application
✅ 8% magnesium blend for fast melting

This deicer is ideal for both residential and commercial use, ensuring driveways and walkways stay ice-free without major concrete damage.

🛒 Available at Kilgore Landscape Center:

• Individual 50 lb bags – $9.75 per bag

• Full pallet (416.25 per pallet)

2. Polar Ice Melt

For a fast-acting and effective ice melt that is safe for concrete, Polar Ice Melt is another great ice melt salt. It is more powerful than standard rock salt and works even in extreme cold conditions.

✅ Melts ice down to -25°F
✅ Concrete safe ice melt, safe for metal and vegetation
✅ Corrosion-resistant and tracking-resistant
✅ Pet-friendly and environmentally safe
✅ Non-staining blue dye for controlled spreading

Polar Ice Melt contains a blend of sodium chloride, liquid magnesium chloride, and sodium silicate, making it less damaging than traditional road salts. Its uniform particle size helps reduce waste, allowing for controlled and efficient application.

🛒 Available at Kilgore Landscape Center:

• Individual 50 lb bags – $9 per bag

• Full pallet – $379 per pallet

3. Ice Bomb Ice Melt

For those looking for a cost-effective option that still offers strong melting power, Ice Bomb Ice Melt is a solid choice. While it is best for asphalt surfaces, it can be used on concrete when applied correctly.

✅ Melts ice down to 0°F
✅ Extra coarse solar rock salt for strong traction
✅ Treated with calcium, magnesium, and potassium
✅ Dyed purple for easy spreading
✅ Pet and environmentally friendly when used as directed

While Ice Bomb Ice Melt is ideal for large commercial applications, homeowners can also use this ice melt salt for driveways, sidewalks, and walkways.

🛒 Available at Kilgore Landscape Center:

• Individual bags – $7 per bag

• Full pallet – $306 per pallet

4. Bulk Road Salt Type C White

For those who need a large quantity of deicer, Bulk Road Salt Type C White is an effective road salt option for melting ice on asphalt surfaces and parking lots. However, this is not a completely concrete safe ice melt due to their higher sodium chloride content.

✅ Melts ice down to 0°F
✅ Treated with magnesium chloride to reduce freezing point
✅ Used by DOT, cities, and snow removal professionals
✅ Anti-caking agent prevents clogging in spreaders

This bulk road salt is an affordable and widely used deicer, but it is best suited for asphalt surfaces, parking lots, and roadways rather than concrete driveways.

🛒 Available at Kilgore Landscape Center:

• $45 per ton (minimum charge of $50 per load)

How to Apply Ice Melt Safely on Your Driveway

Using the right deicer is important, but using them right is just as important to preventing damage and maximizing their effectiveness.

✅ 1. Apply the Right Amount

Applying too much ice melt salt can lead to excessive runoff and residue buildup. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended spreading rate for efficient melting without waste.

✅ 2. Pre-Treat Before a Storm

Applying Polar Ice Melt or Purple Heat Ice Melt before snowfall helps prevent ice from bonding to concrete, making removal easier.

✅ 3. Clear Melted Ice and Slush

Once the ice melts, shovel away any remaining water and slush to prevent refreezing and potential surface damage.

✅ 4. Avoid Harsh Road Salts on New Concrete

If your concrete driveway is less than a year old, avoid using Ice Bomb Ice Melt or bulk Road Salt, as they can be too harsh. Stick to Polar Ice Melt or Purple Heat Ice Melt concrete safe ice melt.

✅ 5. Store Ice Melt Properly

Keep your deicer in a dry location to prevent clumping and maintain effectiveness throughout the winter season.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right ice melt salt can help you keep your driveway safe without damaging concrete or harming nearby vegetation. 

Pro Tip: Ice melt products combine with landscaping sand to create traction while removing ice on surfaces.

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, you can find several deicing options that are effective and driveway-friendly:

✔ Polar Ice Melt – Best for extreme cold, safer on concrete
✔ Ice Bomb Ice Melt – Best for asphalt and large areas
✔ Bulk Road Salt Type C White – Best for roads, highways, and commercial lots

✔ Purple Heat Ice Melt – Best for concrete and pet-friendly deicing

To find the best ice melt product for your driveway, visit Kilgore Landscape Center or call (801) 561-4231 for expert advice and pricing.