What Ice Melter Can I use on New Concrete?

New concrete is defined as having been installed less than one year.  The short answer is NOTHING BUT SAND!  The effects of melting products on new concrete vary from region to region and the quality of the concrete.  In general new concrete cannot withstand the effects of freeze-thaw-freezing that occur with ice melters.  Increased hydrological pressures create cracks, and pops occur.

Concrete manufacturers recommend using only sand and a shovel on new concrete! 
Nor will ice melter manufacturers provide ANY warranties when used on new concrete.

If you MUST use an ice melter, then use a very high quality salt based melter that melts to -10F or better, and has a large amount of anti-corrosive compounds in the product.  A product meeting this is our Green Scapes. Lowering the melting point creates a water salt brine and helps the liquid from refreezing and creating pressure that cracks the concrete.  DO NOT USE Calcium Chloride (CaCl), the common white pellet melter.  CaCl products melt using high heat from a chemical reaction with water creating heat pockets, and will refreeze.  If in your region, you can reach nighttime temps near or below -10F, you cannot use anything but a shovel and sand.  The temperature must not approach the -10F limit of the product being used.  We want to strongly state using any product meeting this configuration does NOT mean your concrete will not crack or pop, nor are we recommending this as a solution.

This information is for informational purposes only and not an endorsement of a maintenance process for new concrete or a product. 

WE STRONGLY, AND ALWAYS RECOMMEND THE USE OF SAND ONLY ON NEW CONCRETE.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!