Frequently Asked Questions - Packaged Deicing

My pet's feet are bleeding - is this from the salt?
What stores in my area carry your salt?
We've been using regular old salt on our driveway for years, do we really need anything special?
Do I have to follow the package instructions for deicing salt?
What if my child (or pet) eats deicing salt?
Will ice melter hurt my carpeting?
Will ice melter hurt my wood floor?
What if ice melter gets on a wood deck?
Will ice melter hurt my grass?
Will this ice melter damage the concrete?
Can your deicing salt be used on roofs to remove ice dams?
Can I use your deicing products on brick sidewalks?
Can I use Diamond Crystal® Solar water conditioning salt for deicing on sidewalks and driveways?
Can I use deicing salt in my softener?
Are some salts more pure than others?
Are there any chemicals in your salt?

My pet’s feet are bleeding - is this from the salt?

It is difficult to determine without seeing the pet. You should consult with your veterinarian. In most cases, salt is not harmful to pets.

What stores in my area carry your salt?

Please call 1-888-385-7258 and ask them to forward you to the Cargill inside sales representative in your area. The Cargill inside sales person can give you the name of a retailer in your area. For water conditioning salt link to the Water Conditioning Product Locator.

We've been using regular old salt on our driveway for years, do we really need anything special?

Rock salt is great for low risk ice melting - like driveways - and Cargill has a fine product for the task. But when it comes to caring for areas where ice could mean slips and falls you should consider something fast and productive such as Diamond Crystal® Jiffy Melt® or Cargill Calcium Chloride. Notice: As noted, these products may be used to remove snow and ice from concrete sidewalks, parking lots and asphalt surfaces. However, it must be remembered that all ice melting agents work by reducing the freezing point of water. This can result in more frequent freeze-thaw cycling of the melted snow and ice, which can cause spalling (surface scaling of concrete). As such, use only on properly placed, cured and sealed, air-entrained concrete. To lessen the possibility of freeze-thaw cycling and potential damage, promptly remove slush as it is formed. Do not use on porous or improperly cured concrete, concrete less than one year old, wood or other porous materials. As with any ice melting agent, particular care should be used when grass and vegetation are adjacent to the deicing surface as excess application may cause damage. The product must be used at your own risk.

Do I have to follow the package instructions for deicing salt?

Yes. Proper use is important for any ice melting product.

What if my child (or pet) eats deicing salt?

You should contact your physician (or veterinarian). The product should be stored in sealed containers out of the reach of children (or pets).

Will ice melter hurt my carpeting?

Keep in mind that the residue carried in from people's boots and shoes should be vacuumed promptly once dry, or the residue should be promptly sponged up with water.

Will ice melter hurt my wood floor?

Residue from boots and shoes that dries on a wood floor and recrystallizes may cause some dulling of the varnish. Any residue, therefore, should be promptly mopped up with a damp sponge.

What if ice melter gets on a wood deck?

An ice melter used on a wood deck can penetrate the wood pores and cause degradation as it dries and re-crystallizes. Wood sealers offer some protection, but ice melters should still be used with care.

Will ice melter hurt my grass?

Any ice melter can harm grass particularly if you do not apply the ice melter according to package directions.

Will ice melter damage the concrete?

All ice melters can damage concrete. Because all ice melting agents work by reducing the freezing point of water, this can result in more frequent freeze-thaw cycling of the melted snow and ice, which can cause spalling (surface scaling of concrete). As such, use only on properly placed, cured and sealed, air-entrained concrete. To lessen the possibility of freeze-thaw cycling and potential damage, promptly remove slush as it is formed. Do not use on porous or improperly cured concrete, concrete less than one year old, wood or other porous materials. As with any ice melting agent, particular care should be used when grass and vegetation are adjacent to the deicing surface as excess application may cause damage. The product must be used at your own risk.

Can your deicing salt be used on roofs to remove ice dams?

Ice dams are often the result of heat loss through the roof. The best solution is consult a roof expert to prevent heat loss and the ice dam from developing. There are a variety of methods that have been used to remove ice from roofs. Since there are a variety of options and a variety of roofing materials, you should consult your homeowners insurance, or a professional roofer to determine the best method of removal for your roof type. Ice melters are one method of ice removal, but may not be the best option for your circumstance.

Can I use your deicing products on brick sidewalks?

We do not recommend any deicing material on brick sidewalks or patios.

Can I use Diamond Crystal® Solar water conditioning salt for deicing on sidewalks and driveways?

Diamond Crystal® Solar Salt Extra Coarse and Diamond Crystal® Rock Salt may be used to remove snow and ice from concrete sidewalks, parking lots and asphalt surfaces. Diamond Crystal® Pellets with Softener Care™ Additive, Diamond Crystal® Red Out® Pellets with Iron Fighter® Additive, Diamond Crystal® Sun Gems® and Diamond Crystal® Red Out® Sun Gems® are not recommended for this use due to their large size.

Directions for Use: Remove excess snow. Spread 1/2 to 1 cup per square yard evenly over ice and packed snow surfaces. Quantity and melting action will depend upon temperature and thickness of the ice and packed snow. Reapply as necessary. When ice and snow soften, remove slush and any excess ice melter from pavement for good concrete maintenance. Notice: All ice melting agents work by reducing the freezing point of water. This can result in more frequent freeze-thaw cycling of the melted snow and ice, which can cause spalling (surface scaling of concrete). As such, use only on properly placed, cured and sealed, air-entrained concrete. To lessen the possibility of freeze-thaw cycling and potential damage, promptly remove slush as it is formed. Do not use on porous or improperly cured concrete, concrete less than one year old, wood or other porous materials. As with any ice melting agent, particular care should be used when grass and vegetation are adjacent to the deicing surface as excess application may cause damage. Use this product at your own risk.

Can I use deicing salt in my softener?

We do not recommend it. Note that deicing salt has a higher amount of insolubles and will require more clean-up of the brine tank. Also, the smaller particle size of deicing salt is not suitable for water softeners.

Are some salts more pure than others?

Yes. Evaporated salt ranges from 99.7 to 99.99% pure sodium chloride. Solar salt is typically 99.6 to 99.8% sodium chloride. Rock salt used for water conditioning may run from 95 to more than 98.5% sodium chloride, depending on the source.

Are there any chemicals in your salt?

Some of our products contain additives (primarily to keep it from getting hard or to iodize it) and others do not. Please refer to the product packaging or request a technical data sheet.