Midwest winters are hard on all of us. It’s cold and dark, and without warning, an ice storm or snow flurry turns your property into a slippery danger zone. At Precision Landscaping Corporation, we recommend using an ice melt product to keep your family, neighbors, and visitors safe on your property. However, it’s important to be sure you’re using the right product and in the proper way to avoid damage to your concrete, landscaping, or even your pets. Read on to learn all about ice melt, so you can use it in a safe way this winter.
Choose the Right Product
There are a variety of ice melt products on the market. Before choosing one, do some research on how the product should be used and how it will affect the environmental factors surrounding your home. Ice melt products don’t just melt ice, they also have been known to damage concrete, landscaping, and be harmful to family pets. That is why it’s important to choose the right product that will allow you to safely navigate your walkways while protecting your home and loved ones.
Use Ice Melt Properly
Once you feel confident that you’ve chosen the right product for your property, you need to follow the directions very carefully and never use more than is necessary. Avoid using products containing magnesium or acetate on concrete, as they can cause corrosion. And remember to use caution with ice melt around family pets, as sodium chloride can be lethal if ingested by animals. Consider purchasing pet-friendly alternatives available at your local pet or hardware store.
Consider Alternatives
If you decide you aren’t comfortable using a chemical ice melt product, there are other things you can do protect your family and your property from ice. Some homeowners choose to create traction on ice using kitty litter, sand, or sawdust. Also, your first line of defense to prevent snow and ice buildup is regular snow and slush removal. Shoveling right down to the concrete in a timely manner means ice will be less likely to form.
Protect your family as well as your concrete and landscaping this winter by properly using ice melt. Precision Landscaping Corporation is your full-service outdoor contracting firm in North Royalton, Ohio, and we’re here to help you install and maintain your outdoor projects all year round. Contact us today at (440) 843-9500 for your free estimate.