Edition: February / 2018AP&P's Complete Ice Melter Guide

The Melting Process

All conventional ice melters work the same way. Once they are applied, they begin to dissolve and melt the ice or snow. As the ice melter dissolves and melts the ice and snow, a brine solution forms. The dissolved ice melter material in the brine acts to lower the temperature at which the brine solution will freeze. The higher the concentration of ice melter in the brine solution, the lower the freezing point and the less chance that ice will form.

Effective Melting Temperature

Ice melters are often compared by their effective melting temperature (EMT). This is the lowest temperature at which an ice melter will melt under real-world conditions. There are factors that can effect an ice melter's EMT, such as the temperature and humidity of the air. However, the ice melting industry recognizes the EMT temperatures as shown in the chart at right.

Melting Speed and Duration

Like its EMT, an ice melter's melting speed and ability to melt ice over a long period of time is influenced by its ingredients and the outdoor temperature. As the temperature drops, the melting speed drops, regardless of the ice melter's ingredients.

Particle Size and Purity

An ice melter's performance is influenced by the size and surface of the individual particles.

Because small particles have more surface area that can come into contact with ice or snow, they melt quickly. However, their small size has two drawbacks. First, they have an increased chance of being blown away on windy days. Second, less weight per particle means they only melt on the surface because they are not heavy enough to penetrate the ice as they melt.

On the other hand, large particles have less surface area and more weight per particle. But because of their weight and rapid melting ability, they may not completely dissolve or create a brine solution before penetrating the ice. This results in wasted, unused material and poor melting efficiency.

So what are the most effective ice melters? The ones that use an optimally-sized particle (medium) with both ice-penetrating and brine-forming characteristics.

Effects on Vegetation

Direct or indirect contact with high concentrations of any ice melter can be harmful to vegetation. Dissolved ice melters can accumulate in soil over time and affect a plant's ability to absorb water and other nutrients essential for healthy growth. If the soil gets too saturated from commonly used ice melters, it may not be able to absorb moisture at all. Removing slush after melting reduces vegetation damage.

Effects on Concrete and Other Surfaces

The biggest concern regarding the use of ice melters is concrete damage. However, most of the damage that occurs during winter is not caused by ice melters, but the freeze/thaw cycles. When water seeps into the concrete cracks and pores, it freezes and expands and puts stress on the concrete. With enough pressure over time, the concrete will crack.

Only ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate ice melters directly damage concrete. That's because they are corrosive substances that actually attack the surface they touch.

Another area of concern is the use of ice melters on roofs. Ice melters are not recommended for use on roofs because they may damage some roofing materials, corrode nails, and therefore destabilize a roof's structural integrity. They may also cause pitting of aluminum gutters and downspouts.

Click on this printable PDF document below to view some frequently asked questions regarding ice melter.