How to Apply Ice Melt Salt Safely to Protect Your Pets and the Environment

How to Apply Ice Melt Salt Safely to Protect Your Pets and the Environment

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Lola Rose is a writer for Akomplice, a Marketing Company and Marketing Technology Agency located in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

1. Choosing Concrete Safe Ice Melts for Winter Protection

Did you know that not all ice melt products are designed for concrete surfaces? Many de-icing products can damage driveways and sidewalks and even hurt pets. However, there are specific products like Purple Heat Ice Melt and Polar Ice Melt which are designed to address these concerns. These ice melt salts are suitable for driveways, patios, and sidewalks and are also pet-friendly. This is because they use magnesium chloride or other non-corrosive materials, which perform well at low temperatures without excessive harm to surfaces.

Kilgore Landscape Center is a Salt Lake landscape center in Utah that offers these products and more to help homeowners, contractors, and municipalities make better decisions when it comes to snow and ice removal.

2. Applying Ice Melt Salt with Pets and Plants in Mind

When searching for road salt near me, you should ask yourself if you have pets, plants, and runoff areas that you may need to be aware of. Once you’ve selected your ice melt, here’s how to safely apply your product.

Apply Only What’s Needed

Using excessive amounts of ice melt can lead to environmental contamination. Kilgore Landscape Center and many other salt and ice suppliers in Utah recommend specific application rates, such as 2 to 4 ounces per square yard for Polar Ice Melt, to avoid overuse. Controlled application will lessen residue left over, keeping pets safer and limiting chemical runoff to surrounding plants and soil.

Use Color Indicators

Ice melt salt, like Purple Heat Ice Melt, can be dyed for easy visibility. This makes it easier to track applications and has an even spread. This reduces the chance of pets coming into contact with large amounts of salt. The color allows you to spot treated areas, so you avoid repeated applications that could harm soil and nearby plants and make you run out faster.

3. Environmental and Pet-Friendly Alternatives

Using concrete safe ice melts that are gentle on the environment and safe for pets is especially important for homes with outdoor pets. Products like Kilgore’s Polar Ice Melt offer a blend of magnesium chloride and sodium silicate, which break down in the environment more effectively than harsher chemicals. When used correctly, these options provide effective ice management without compromising plant health or pet safety.

Reduce Runoff Impact

Even pet-friendly ice melts can affect local plants and water systems if not applied carefully. Keep the application limited to hard surfaces rather than garden areas or lawns, where salt can alter soil composition and harm root systems. Also, consider placing mats or gravel barriers between treated surfaces and nearby greenery.

4. Storing Ice Melt Safely and Responsibly

Proper storage ensures that your ice melt maintains effectiveness while reducing environmental impact. Keep ice melt products in a dry, sealed container away from moisture to prevent clumping. Some ice melts contain anti-caking agents that enhance storage life, but storing them properly further preserves product quality and usability.

Get Prepared Now

Using ice melt salt is necessary for safe winter walkways, but it’s essential to apply it responsibly. Concrete-safe products like Purple Heat Ice Melt and Polar Ice Melt from Kilgore Landscape Center and others in Salt Lake City offer options designed to protect your property while reducing environmental and pet-related concerns. 

bulk road salt and ice melt salt lake city utah for roads and driveways

Where to Find Quality Bulk Road Salt Near Me: Kilgore Landscape Center’s Winter Solutions

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Lola Rose is a writer for Akomplice, a Marketing Technology Agency.

As winter approaches, finding dependable sources for quality bulk road salt and ice melt salt becomes a priority for both residential and commercial properties. Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials is a Salt Lake Landscape Center, that is well-known for its range of winter products, especially for ice control. With a strong reputation in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kilgore has served the community’s winter needs for decades, ensuring that roads, driveways, and walkways remain safe even in the harshest conditions. Here’s why they are the go-to option for road salt near me in Salt Lake City.

Kilgore’s Range of Ice Melt Solutions

Kilgore Landscape Center offers a diverse selection of road salts tailored for Utah’s winter climate, where sub-zero temperatures and frequent snowstorms demand effective ice-melting products. Among Kilgore’s popular products are:

  • Bulk Road Salt: Ideal for asphalt surfaces, this salt road solution is widely used by DOT departments, counties, cities, and professional snow removal services. Bulk road salt from Kilgore is designed to melt ice down to 0°F, ensuring safety even in extreme cold.
  • Purple Heat Ice Melt: This concrete safe ice melt is a top choice for those seeking a gentler option for surfaces that may be prone to damage. Purple Heat ’s magnesium formula melts ice down to -15°F and contains a purple dye, making it easy to monitor where the salt has been applied. This feature reduces the risk of overuse and minimizes impact on vegetation, which is ideal for both residential and commercial applications.

Kilgore’s salt selection includes multiple options to meet specific winter needs, ensuring that both residential and commercial customers have access to high-quality materials that prioritize safety and surface protection.

Benefits of Choosing Kilgore’s Bulk Road Salt

Effective in Extreme Temperatures

Kilgore Landscape Center has products designed to tackle Utah’s harsh winters. Their road salt products have proven effective against ice and snow, providing reliable traction on slippery surfaces. By lowering the freezing point of ice, Kilgore’s salts prevent refreezing and promote safer roadways, walkways, and parking lots.

Affordable Solutions for Large Properties

Kilgore’s bulk road salt options offer cost-effective solutions for large properties, municipalities, and businesses managing extensive road networks. By purchasing in bulk, customers can cover more ground, reducing the need for frequent reapplications and keeping costs low. The bulk road salt is particularly popular among local governments and commercial property managers looking to optimize winter maintenance without sacrificing safety.

Safe for a Variety of Surfaces

Not all road salts are created equal, and using the wrong type on sensitive surfaces can cause lasting damage. Kilgore’s Purple Heat Ice Melt provides a more gentle alternative for areas with concrete or landscaping. This magnesium-based formula is less corrosive than traditional salts, making it suitable for surfaces where preservation is essential, like patios, sidewalks, and entryways. Purple Heat is also pet- and environmentally-friendly, offering a safer choice for homes and commercial spaces where protecting people, pets, and vegetation is a priority.

Kilgore Landscape Center’s product variety also includes options tailored to different types of ice melt needs. Concrete safe ice melts like Purple Heat Ice Melt reduce the risk of spalling and surface cracking, common issues with traditional road salt application for de-icing on pavement concrete surfaces.

Kilgore’s Landscaping Products for Winter and Beyond

In addition to winter solutions, Kilgore Landscape Center is a year-round provider of landscaping materials. As a trusted source in Salt Lake City, Kilgore also offers bulk mulch products, mulch bed landscaping products, decorative landscaping rock, landscaping cobbles, flagstone, washed rock, colored landscaping rocks, and landscaping sand. This range means customers can prepare not only for winter but for any landscaping project throughout the year.

For instance, decorative landscaping rock can provide added traction along paths and garden walkways during winter months while enhancing curb appeal year-round. Whether preparing for seasonal landscaping or protecting a property from winter hazards, Kilgore provides the materials and expertise to meet every need.

Why Choose Kilgore Landscape Center?

Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center has built a strong reputation based on customer trust and product quality. The center’s commitment to providing the best products extends to customer support, where knowledgeable staff are available to guide clients on product choice and usage. This hands-on approach ensures that clients select the right road salts and winter materials to keep their properties safe.

For customers seeking road salt near me or expert guidance on winter solutions, Kilgore Landscape Center offers both reliability and expertise. As winter storms bring challenges to Salt Lake City, Kilgore’s well-stocked inventory and helpful team stand ready to support residential and commercial clients alike.

How to Use Ice Melt Salt Effectively for Driveways and Walkways

How to Use Ice Melt Salt Effectively for Driveways and Walkways

By | ice melt salt | No Comments

Lola Rose is a writer for Akomplice, a Marketing Technology Agency.

Winter in Utah brings icy conditions that can turn driveways and walkways into hazardous areas. Icy surfaces not only pose a risk for slips and falls but also make it difficult for vehicles moving on and off driveways. That’s why ice melt salt is a must-have for homeowners and property managers to keep their sidewalks and driveways safe during winter weather. It’s important to use road salt correctly so that it’s able to melt ice, reduce slip hazards, and prevent damage to your surfaces. But with so many ice melt products available, it’s hard to know how to apply them and which product best suits your needs. Kilgore Landscape Center and a few other locations in Utah stand out for their products.

Why Use Ice Melt Salt?

Ice melt works by lowering the freezing point of water, which helps break the bond between the ice and the ground. This makes it easier to remove ice and reduces the chance of future ice forming in freezing conditions. The most common types of road salts and ice melt products contain additives like sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride, each depending on the temperature. In Utah, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically and dip below freezing often, choosing the right product is important. For example, one popular product, Purple Heat Ice Melt from Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, can melt ice in temperatures as low as -15°F and works well in colder climates.

Selecting the Right Ice Melt Salt for Utah’s Winter

Utah winters can range from moderate to severe, and that variability requires selecting the right type of ice melt salt based on the conditions you expect. There are several factors to consider when choosing an ice melt product:

  1. Temperature Range – If you live in an area where temperatures drop significantly, a product like Purple Heat Ice Melt is a smart choice. It is specifically formulated to work in extremely cold conditions, which makes it a reliable solution even in extreme weather.
  2. Surface Material – Different products can have different effects on certain surfaces. For example, traditional road salt might cause damage to concrete over time, especially if used excessively or on newly installed surfaces. However, concrete safe ice melts are designed to minimize the potential damage to concrete driveways or sidewalks. If your surfaces are concrete, these products are worth considering to prevent long-term wear and tear. However if this does happen, Kilgore Landscape Center offers a disposal site for concrete and asphalt.
  3. Application Needs – Depending on the size of the area you’re covering, you may want to use a bulk or bagged product. Homeowners with smaller driveways may prefer the convenience of bagged ice melt, such as Purple Heat Ice Melt. But those responsible for larger properties or businesses may benefit from bulk purchases such as bulk road salt or Purple Heat Ice Melt (Full Pallet).

For those searching for a reliable local supplier, looking up “best road salt near me” can help you find a Salt Lake Landscape Center near you that carries the products you need.

How to Apply Ice Melt Salt Effectively

Knowing how to apply ice melt salt correctly is just as important as choosing the right product. Properly applying your product can guarantee safety while minimizing waste and potential surface damage.

  1. Start by Clearing Snow: Before you apply ice melt, always remove as much snow as possible. Using a snow shovel or snow blower is an effective way to clear the area. Ice melt works best when it can directly contact the ice, not when it’s layered over snow. This ensures that the salt can penetrate and break the bond between the ice and the ground more quickly.
  2. Apply the Right Amount: Overusing ice melt can lead to several issues, such as damaging surrounding vegetation, impacting nearby water sources, and wasting product. For most driveways and sidewalks, 2 to 4 ounces of salt per square yard is typically sufficient for light to moderate ice accumulation. Heavier snow and ice may require slightly more, but avoid piling on the salt.
  3. Spread Evenly: Uniform distribution is key to ensuring the salt melts the ice efficiently and consistently. You can use a handheld spreader for deicing smaller areas like walkways or sidewalks, or a wheeled spreader for larger driveways. An even spread prevents concentrated areas of salt, which can cause damage to concrete or other surfaces over time. Products like Purple Heat Ice Melt help with this process thanks to their colored dye, which shows where you’ve already applied the salt, reducing the risk of over-application.
  4. Reapply as Needed: Depending on the severity of the winter conditions, you may need to reapply ice melt salt after large amounts of snowfall or freezing rain. However, be mindful of how much you’re using, as overuse can result in product runoff that may impact nearby flower beds or landscaped areas. For example, if your property includes mulch bed landscaping products or soil landscaping products, take care to avoid applying salt too close to these areas.

Protecting Driveways and Walkways from Damage

While ice melt products are very effective in improving safety, improper use can cause damage to surfaces. Concrete, in particular, is prone to spalling and cracking when exposed to certain types of road salts. To protect your driveway or walkway, consider the following:

  1. Use Concrete Safe Products: If your driveway or sidewalk are concrete, think about using concrete safe ice melts. These products are formulated to minimize the risk of surface damage, particularly on newly installed concrete, which is more susceptible to deterioration. Purple Heat Ice Melt is a great example of a product that works well on both concrete and asphalt, reducing the likelihood of surface degradation.
  2. Avoid Overuse: Excessive salt application can lead to a buildup of residue on the surface, which can weaken the material over time. This is especially important on decorative surfaces like colored landscaping rocks or custom stonework, as salt can cause discoloration and damage to the finish. Make sure to clean off any excess salt once the ice has melted to protect these areas.
  3. Monitor Runoff: Salt runoff can not only affect your driveway but also the surrounding landscape. Plants and grass are sensitive to salt, and too much can cause soil to become compacted or hinder plant growth. If you have nearby flower beds or landscaping that includes mulch or soil, be careful to avoid applying ice melt salt too close to these areas to prevent damage.

Local Utah Suppliers

When it comes to winter safety, everyone should know a reliable supplier for ice melt. Before winter comes, make sure to look up “the best road salt near me” so that you have access to the products you need, especially during peak winter months. Local suppliers like Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center offer a long list of winter products, including Purple Heat Ice Melt, bulk road salt, and other bulk landscaping products. With over two decades of experience serving Utah, Kilgore Landscape Center has built a reputation for quality products and dependable landscaping services.

Prepare Now with Ice Melt Salt

As Utah’s temperatures begin to drop, now is the time to start buying ice melt salt for driveways and walkways so you loved ones stay safe during Utah’s winter months. With products like Purple Heat Ice Melt or Ice Bomb Ice Melt, homeowners and property managers can keep their surfaces clear of ice and minimizing potential damage to property. Choosing the right product for your area and surfaces and applying it correctly will maximize efficiency and safety. If you’re looking for reliable winter products, Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center and other locations in Utah offer many de-icing products and other winter essentials for your property year-round.