Ice melt products release heat to melt snow and prevent ice from forming on your composite deck, but some products are safer and more effective to use than others.
To prevent a slippery deck during winter storms, homeowners might be tempted to use ice melt products. However, certain products may damage your composite deck so it’s important to understand which products are safe to use.
How Do Ice Melts Work?
Before putting down ice melts on your deck, it’s important to know how they work. These products release heat and create a brine to melt snow and keep ice from forming. They can work in conjunction with snow blowing or shoveling, or by themselves.
There are a few types of ice melt products to choose from, including pellets and liquid. Pellets and liquid are less harmful for your deck than granules which are often made of an abrasive material that can leave marks and cause permanent damage to the surface of your deck. Using sand to melt ice and snow is also not recommended as it can also be abrasive and easily scratch the surface.
What Chemicals Are Used Ice Melts?
There are four main chemical components of ice melts:
- Sodium chloride
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Calcium magnesium chloride
Some ice melt products are produced with less chemicals and are designed to be safe for children, pets and for use on other porous materials in your outdoor space, such as flagstone and concrete. If this applies to your situation, look for products labeled accordingly.
Chloride components aren’t the only ingredients in some ice melt products. Some products also have tints or colors added. Avoid tinted or colored ice melts, as they may cause a slight discoloration if applied on your deck.
What Ice Melt Works Best Where I Live?
Ice melts work slower as temperatures drop. If you live in a colder climate like the Northeast, you may want to use a calcium chloride ice melt. It is the fastest component for melting snow and ice on your composite deck and works in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can burn the skin, and may be harmful to pets and plants, so keep pets off treated surfaces and wear gloves while spreading it.
If you live in a region with a more moderate climate, you may not need to use such strong products on your deck. Magnesium chloride-based melts are less corrosive than others and may be best in climates with temperatures of -5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. However, these melts may cause damage to plants so be mindful where you are spreading the product.
Calcium magnesium chloride and sodium chloride ice melts are less effective than the others as they work best in climates with temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. However, calcium magnesium chloride is the safer choice. It is biodegradable and low-corrosive, which makes it safe to use around pets and plants. Sodium chloride, on the other hand, can cause damage to concrete, wood and plants, and is toxic to animals.
What is the Safest Ice Melt for Composite Decking?
Calcium chloride melts are best for very cold climates and composite decks — and it won’t scratch your deck’s surface. For best results, remove snow with a plastic shovel (not metal) and then lay down the ice melt in a thin layer over the surface of your deck.
How Do I Clean Up Ice Melt Residue?
When the storm clears and warmer temperatures start to return, it’s important to clean your deck and rid it of any leftover ice melt residue. For composite decking, use warm water and a non-bleach dish soap with a regular kitchen sponge to get rid of any substances. If residue or stains persist, try using alcohol wipes.
Learn more about Barrette Outdoor Living’s line of Composite Decking and get a feel for our product by ordering samples and having them shipped directly to your door!
