Pool salt for ice melt, does it work?

[three.eyed.raven]

I've heard some people use pool salt for ice melt instead of traditional rock salt. Does it actually work well in cold temps, or is it slower to melt ice? also, is it any gentler on concrete and plants? If you've tried it, I'd love to hear how it compares

 

[CyberHawk]

@three.eyed.raven I used pool salt last winter. it works okay but melts ice slower than rock salt in very cold weather. its still tough on concrete and plants like regular salt and its not much different overall..

 

[Decision_dad]

I've heard some people use pool salt for ice melt instead of traditional rock salt. Does it actually work well in cold temps, or is it slower to melt ice? also, is it any gentler on concrete and plants? If you've tried it, I'd love to hear how it compares

Pool salt? yeah, it'll melt ice....eventually, but it's slower than rock salt and not great in really cold temps. If you're dealing with serious winter, stick to the real stuff or go with calcium chloride and as for concrete and plants,well....no promises, it's still salt, so don't expect miracles, might be a little less harsh, but if you're dumping it everywhere, your driveway and grass will still hate you.

 

[Pyromanc3r]

Pool salt? yeah, it'll melt ice....eventually, but it's slower than rock salt and not great in really cold temps. If you're dealing with serious winter, stick to the real stuff or go with calcium chloride and as for concrete and plants,well....no promises, it's still salt, so don't expect miracles, might be a little less harsh, but if you're dumping it everywhere, your driveway and grass will still hate you.

How bout if the price is a big factor? Is there a big price difference between pool salt and rock salt? I can go slower but if theres not much difference in price the I'd just stick with rock salt.

 

[tdrims40]

I've heard some people use pool salt for ice melt instead of traditional rock salt. Does it actually work well in cold temps, or is it slower to melt ice? also, is it any gentler on concrete and plants? If you've tried it, I'd love to hear how it compares

i remember a neighbor used pool salt one winter.. his mom was really excited about finding an alternative, maybe also cheaper. it did melt the ice but it looked like it took forever compared to regular rock salt.. but when spring came, neighbor's rose bushes looked pretty sad.. they used to have them really nice.. so if you got plants to take care of, i wouldn't bet on it..

 

[MrSnow1]

I've heard some people use pool salt for ice melt instead of traditional rock salt. Does it actually work well in cold temps, or is it slower to melt ice? also, is it any gentler on concrete and plants? If you've tried it, I'd love to hear how it compares

For deep cold temperatures pool salt is not a good choice. You will need something like calcium chloride or a liquid blend.