Category: Bare Ground Winter

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Which Ice Melt Product Should I Choose?

There are many choices in ice melts and it is not always easy to determine which is best for you. Hopefully, these considerations might make it easier for you to make the right selection that best suits your needs. Here are some things to weigh as you make your decision:

  1.  How important are environmental concerns* to your decision? If “enviro” concerns are of paramount importance to your decision-making, then a non-salt ice melt (also called nonchloride) might be your best choice. 
    • *Environmental concerns in this context mean runoff into water supplies, damage to infrastructure, expensive garden plantings, and specialty walkways made of decorative stones or brick, etc.
    • Other considerations for choosing a “non-salt” ice melt might be that they are not conductive around electrical lighting, switches, etc. Some are approved for use on runways.
  2. Where do you live and how severe is your temperature? Some ice melts are more “aggressive” than others. Calcium chloride is one of the fastest acting and works well at low temperatures but it also can be somewhat more corrosive than other ice melters. But in zones of the US where temperatures can stay very low for extended periods of time, calcium chloride can be more effective. 
  3. What if I want fast-acting, low temperature, and also something environmentally friendly — then your best choice is our MagPlus. MagPlus is a magnesium chloride salt nearly as aggressive as calcium chloride and it works almost to the same low temperatures. It starts a little slower in its melt but MagPlus lasts a little longer than calcium chloride. It doesn’t burn itself out as quickly as calcium chloride. Importantly, MagPlus contains a corrosion inhibitor to better protect the environment.

So there you have it! Choose the right ice melt for your area of the country and for your personal needs. Regardless, you can’t make a bad choice.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Best Ice Melt for Asphalt — The Spruce

Bare Ground Mag Plus Liquid Deicer - 5 Gallon

Bareground was featured in an article for The Spruce about the best ice melt for the winter season.

You can see the full article here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-ice-melts-5104806

Here is what they had to say:

“Bare Ground Liquid de-icer is effective for keeping snow and ice from sticking to asphalt surfaces such as some driveways—up to 10 days, according to the manufacturer. Applying this to bare ground before snow falls may stop up to 2 inches of snow from accumulating. Its effective low-temperature limit is listed as minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit.

This liquid product comes in a bag with a resealable pour nozzle. But you apply it by spraying, requiring a separate, dedicated sprayer (not included). You can use any standard sprayer, but we recommend using a separate hose from the one that you use with your plants. Expect the 5-gallon package to cover around 5,000 square feet (slightly larger than a basketball court). 

We have not noted any special danger to pets, although any ice melt can be harmful if ingested or licked off paws. You can also use it, as directed, around plants, although you should try not to spray directly on vegetation. It is also biodegradable. You can consult the UL Safety Data Sheet5 for more information.”