Rock Salt vs. Ice Melt: What Is Safe for Concrete, Interlock and Pets?
Every winter in the GTA swings around zero degrees, so a cleared driveway can refreeze overnight. De-icing keeps it safe, but the product matters.
Rock salt (sodium chloride)
- Cheapest and works well down to about −9 °C.
- Hard on new concrete (less than a year old), metal, lawns and paws.
- Best for asphalt driveways and commercial lots.
Calcium and magnesium chloride blends
- Work at much lower temperatures, down to −25 °C and colder.
- Act faster and you need less of them.
- Gentler on concrete and plants than rock salt when used as directed.
Pet-friendly ice melt
Usually based on magnesium chloride or urea, without sharp crystals. It costs more but is the right choice for walkways your dog uses every day. We carry it for clients who ask.
Sand and grit
Sand does not melt ice, it only adds traction. It is useful when it is too cold for salt, but it gets tracked into the house.
Use less, get more
- Clear the snow first. Salt is for the thin layer left behind, not for melting a storm.
- Spread it before freezing rain, not after.
- A coffee mug of salt covers about ten square metres. More is wasted.
More guides: Get your driveway ready for winter · Ice dams & roof snow · Sidewalk snow rules in the GTA