How Do They Work?

Ice melters work by applying the ice melter to ice or snow, which then lowers the freezing point of water, taking it from ice back to liquid. They do this by dissolving a salt, or chloride, into the ice, converting it to a brine solution. There are primarily two types of ice melters: dry ice melters, and liquid ice melters. Click on the links to learn more.

What Kind of Ice Melters are There?

There are liquid ice melters and dry ice melters. The most common dry ice melters are Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Magnesium Acetate, and Urea. To see how these compare, see our melt value comparison.

What are the Environmental Effects of Ice Melt?

Most concerns regarding the effects of ice melt have to do with their effect on concrete and their effect on vegetation. Corrosiveness is also a concern in some settings. Click on the links to learn more.