Roof ice melt - that's safe !!

http://www.greenicemelt.com/products-roofmelt.htm
Dreading winter ? New eco-friendly Icex Products available through ARB Distributing, (on the web at GreenIceMelt.com) could make life easier and more economical. With over 2/3 of the United States having to fight the winter elements every winter, a huge amount of Sodium Chloride, or Rock Salt, is used each year. Rock salt products are very corrosive and are not environmentally or economically friendly when we look at the damage to our rivers and lakes from runoff and damage to roofs, siding, driveways, sidewalks and lawns due to the harsh chemicals. You should never put any chloride on your roof as it can damage the roofing materials, and kill any shrubs or landscaping vegetation you have down below where the chemicals drip as it melts the ice.

Recently 5 new Icex Products have come on the market for commercial and home use:


The Ice Dam Blaster ™ is a specialized sleeve of deicer that can be safely placed above and near the are where ice dams form. Ice dams create havoc when ice forms on the roof above the eves and water backs up behind it seeping into the interior of the building through cracks and crevices. The non-corrosive, biodegradable deicer is environmentally safe, and works to under-cut the ice giving a place for the water to drain, thus preventing water from backing up and causing damage. The Ice Dam Blaster™ then has time release action preventing a future dam from building up.

Other forms of deicers that are safe for the roof, and vegetation below, are the solid granular NAAC sodium acetate, that works faster than the Ice Dam Blaster ™, and a liquid concentrate, CF-7 ™, that can be sprayed on the roof, for very fast melting action at cold temperatures. Both can be used in conjunction with the Ice Dam Blaster ™ for maximum performance. Solid granular CMA, calcium magnesium acetate, or SubZero 20 ™, can both be used on the sidewalk and driveway below for very effective deicing and snow melting, using the safest and “greenest” products on the market today. Also available as a discounted "Package", which includes 3 Ice Dam Blasters, 2.5 gallons of CF7 liquid deicer, and a 6 lb bag of NAAC solid deicer. The Green Roof Melt Package can be used to really attack those ice dams quickly. These Icex Products biodegrade in warm weather making them a safe “green” product that is also child and pet friendly. All Icex roof melter products are non-corrosive, non-damaging to roofs and vegetation, safe for new concrete, wood and deck materials, and won't stain flooring and carpeting from tracking it indoors. Another great solid deicer for sidewalks that is available at a much lower cost is Green Earth Ice Melter ™.

When fighting the elements, it is good to know that there are eco-friendly products to get the job done in a convenient and responsible manner. To find more about these products, check out the website at www.GreenIceMelt.com or contact Andy Busse at ARB Distributing, LLC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, toll free 1-866-398-9598.

Snow removal companies save money on rock salt

Snow and ice removal contractors are in high demand during the wintery months. As a contractor, you are up at all hours of the day, plowing, and salting roads and parking lots. Your job is extremely important to keep our economy running. Without snow removal companies, we wouldn't be able to get to our jobs and live our lives for, at the very least, 5 months out of the year. With some of the harshest winters in the last few years, rock salt is used by the ton. Last year there was even a shortage of rock salt and many companies found themselves out of salt and nowhere to find any, with the winter still raging on !

A new liquid solution just hit the market that will save snow removal companies, cities, counties and municipalities thousands of dollars in salt costs, and is less harmful to the environment. Salt Saver is a unique solution that is used as a rock salt stockpile treatment. It will make the standard rock salt much more effective, significantly reducing the amount of salt required to effectively de-ice your location. It makes the salt work faster, longer, and to colder temperatures. You use less salt, saving you money, and reducing the harmful effects on the environment.

By applying a small amount of Salt Saver liquid, only 7 gallons per ton of salt, you will be able to spread up to 50% less salt, cutting your salt expense in half. Depending on how big of an operation it is, this can add up to thousands of dollars ! Salt Saver can also be added to salt in tailgate spreaders and effectively hand-mixed in seconds. With a small 23 oz application, it can even be added and mixed in with general consumer sized 50 lb bags of rock salt.

Available exclusively at GreenIceMelt.com - Save salt, save money, and help save the environment.

Roofers - can make extra money with roof ice melting products

Icicles hanging down off of your building make look pretty in the winter, but beware, they can build up and cause ice dams on your roof, which in turn can back up water, and causes thousands of dollars in damage !

Background information

When ice dams occur, water backs up behind them. As it backs up, it can work its way through cracks and under shingles. You can see it running out of soffets or through ceilings and /or walls. Additionally, it flows over the dam, forming icicles. Water can drip onto sidewalk areas and refreeze when it hits the cold surface. Ice dams do their damage when there is running water (melted snow) on the roof. This same running water is needed to activate the deicer to form a brine and work through the ice dam.

How Ice Melters Work

When ice melters dissolve in the running water, they lower the freezing point of the water. Every ice melter acts differently. The key is to use the correct material to match the intended performance. Roof ice melters must be non-damaging to the roofing system and the vegetation below (where it runs off). It should not stain the roof and must be easy to put in place.

Roof Melters

Ice Dam Blaster - (timed release)

When to use: Before ice dams form (early winter) or after they have already formed.

Where and how to place: The two-pound sleeves of ice melt can be placed above and near where ice dam forms. They can be thrown onto the roof from the ground or placed by hand. The sleeve can lay in any direction.

How much to use: Place a blaster in valleys where there is a lot of water flow (and large ice dams can build) or along the roof approximately every 20 feet.

How fast does it work: Will work quickly initially with water flow, then time release action will allow it to work slower and last longer.

How safe is it: It is extremely safe and non-corrosive. It biodegrades at temperatures above 50 F.

Package size: Blaster is 2" in diameter x 24" long. They are available individually or in cases of 15.

Sodium Acetate - Solid Roof Ice Melter (fast release)

When to use: Use on large roofs or large ice dams and when quicker reaction is desired.

Where and how to place: Pour two to three pounds in a pile behind or above the ice dam.

How much to use: each pound of material will dissolve approximately two pounds (one quart) of water at -8 F, or ten pounds (five quarts) of water at 23 degrees F. (This shows that this de-icer is most effective as the temperatures get warmer. It gives an idea of how much to use depending on the amount of ice and the temperature)

How fast does it work: It works faster than the Ice Dam Blaster, but doesn't last as long.

How safe is it: It is extremely safe and non-corrosive. It biodegrades in warm weather.

Package size: 6 lbs bags (shipped individually or 8 per case) - convenient and safe size for roofers to just throw in there pocket when they are doing their job. Also available in 25 lb pails, and 55 lb bags.

Potassium Acetate Liquid Ice Melter (immediate release)

When to use: Use to cut through ice dams fast and at cold temperatures. It will cut the ice and help create flow in gutters and down spouts.

Where and how to place: Pour concentrate above ice dam.

How much to use: A half-gallon will lower the freezing point of 3 quarts of water to 0 degrees F, 8 quarts of water to 22 deg F, and 4 gallons of water to 30 F.

How fast does it work: Immediately goes to work.

How safe is it: Do not use on galvanized steel. It is safe on other materials, and it biodegrades at warm temperatures.

Package size: 1 gal bottles (6 per case), 2.5 gallon bottles (2 per case), 55 gallon drums, and 275 gallon mini tote tanks.

All of these are the safest available roof ice melting products on the market, for general consumers, commercial locations, and at special dealer pricing for companies in the roofing industry.

Earth Friendly and Pet Safe Ice Melt... here's Happy Paws ! (part 1)

Earth Friendly and Pet Safe Ice Melt … here's Happy Paws ! (part 1)

Every state in the U.S. has recorded snowfall at one time or another. Obviously there are many southern states that do not have any need for snow and ice removal, however, for a large portion of the country, winter snow management is a huge deal. Our lives don't stop in winter. We don't hibernate... we need to keep our roadways, driveways, and sidewalks clear and safe of the icy elements while we go about our daily activities for those cold winter months of the year.

The most commonly used and readily available ice melting product that has been used for years has always been halite, or standard rock salt. While it is a cheap way to clear your sidewalk, and make your area safe from the slippery dangers of an icy walk to your door, that could result in personal injury or some kind of lawsuit, salt is not always your best choice. Most likely it isn't a good choice at all. What many people don't realize is that rock salt, or sodium chloride, is a highly corrosive, and damaging chemical. It can wreak havoc on your concrete, kill your surrounding grass and plants, and believe it or not, harm your pets !

(to be continued)

Ice dam prevention

Ice dams on the roofs of houses or other buildings can be a huge problem for people living in cold areas. When ice dams occur, water backs up behind them. As it backs up, it can work its way through cracks and under shingles. You can see it running out of soffets or through ceilings and/or walls. Additionally, it flows over the dam, forming icicles. Water can drip onto sidewalk areas and refreeze when it hits the cold surface.
There is a couple of ways to prevent ice dams from forming and causing thousands of dollars in damage. One way is to install electrical heating coils on the roof. This is a very expensive ordeal. We have found an inexpensive and environmentally safe way to prevent ice dams. There is a new product on the market called the Ice Dam Blaster. Pete, the inventor is a chemist by trade.


Ice dams do their damage when there is running water (melted snow) on the roof. This same running water is needed to activate the de-icer to form a brine and work through the ice dam.
How it works: When the de-icers dissolve in the running water, they lower the freezing point of the water. Every de-icer acts differently. The key is to use the correct material to match the intended performance. There are some products out there that can remove and prevent ice dams, however they use harmful chemical ingredients and salts that damage and corrode your roof, and kill the vegetation underneath. Roof de-icers must be non-damaging to the roofing system and the vegetation below (where it runs off). It should not stain the roof and must be easy to put in place. That is EXACTLY what the Ice Dam Blaster does. You should check these out if you have ice dams. They are very inexpensive at around $12, and very effective.

Blogging about earth friendly de-icers ...

We will be discussing “green”, de-icers here. No they are not the color green, but environmentally safe alternatives to standard rock salt that is used on our roads, driveways, parking ramps, anywhere that there is cold weather, snow and ice, and people who need to drive in it. Salt is frequently used, and is quite harmful to vegetation and waterways. We will try to keep you updated on the de-icers and ice melting products and techniques that are “earth friendly”.

Thanks for visiting !