There are many headaches once the temperature drops and snow starts to fall. Between slippery walkways, researching pet-friendly de-icers, vehicles getting stuck, and cleaning up salt tracked indoors, winter can feel unpredictable and endless.
This feeling, however, can be avoided through a simple and cost-effective ice melt solution- ProMelt – now available at Holmes Agro.
Clearing Up Common Ice Removal Misconceptions
To effectively deal with snow-covered walkways and frozen driveways while minimizing the associated headaches of using ice melt, we must first clear up some misunderstandings around common ice removal practices.
Many people believe rock salt or urea are enough to handle icy conditions. The truth is, these products have relatively weak melting capabilities and stop working between -4°C to -10°C, not ideal for harsh Canadian winters.
Worse, traditional rock salt contains high levels of sodium chloride, which can cause chemical burns on pets’ paws, potential toxicity if ingested and not pet-friendly. It’s not the best eco-friendly ice melt choice for a home with curious pets or for maintaining a safe, non-corrosive driveway.
Finally, rock salt is known to be highly corrosive, often damaging concrete, vehicles, and also your lawn. With all this in mind, it’s worth asking, “what’s the smarter way to handle winter ice”?
The Art of Ice Melt
While ice removal at its core is easy to master, some may interpret it as a fine art. Using ice melt isn’t just about throwing salt on the ground — it’s about balance: knowing the forecast, managing snow removal, choosing the right product, and ensuring proper application. Together, these factors turn ice removal from a chore into a simple winter-prep routine.
Remember, ice melt isn’t a substitute for shoveling. Think of it as a preventative measure — it keeps water from re-freezing and reduces the amount of work needed after light snowfalls.
Let’s break down each factor to help you perfect your winter ice melt strategy.
1. Forecast: Stay One Step Ahead
While the weather may be hard to predict, there are many tools that we can use to be proactive with our ice melt strategy. First, consider the seasons and general temperature trends. If leaves are starting to fall, and so is the temperature, it is likely for snow to soon follow. Days of consistent early frost are also indicators that you may need icemelt soon, as this may make some surfaces slippery in the morning. You can also turn to your favorite weather app, channel, or guru to fill you in on when they believe the snow is to arrive. If any of these things point toward
snow in the forecast, it’s time to master the second variable of the art of ice melting, snow removal.
2. Snow Removal: Clear Before You Melt
Ice melt is designed to interact directly with ice or moisture on the ground and turn into a salty liquid that lowers the freezing point of water. If you wanted to reduce how slippery surfaces get from a morning frost, or if you know that snow is a few hours away- lucky for you: no snow removal. However, if you couldn’t get around to it in time,
and you have more than a cm or two of snow, its time to get to work. Spreading ice melt on thick snow wastes product and makes shovelling harder later by compacting snow into ice. You may use 2 or 3 times the amount of ice melt, if you don’t clear the snow first. The ice melt needs to come in direct contact with the moisture on or in the ground. Even just a shovel can make all the difference before applying your driveway-safe ice melt. Once you have determined whether or not (or how) to clear snow, you must master the third variable, product.
3. Product: Choose the Right Ice Melt for Pets and Concrete
At Holmes Agro, we carry two leading options — ProMelt Essential and ProMelt Enhanced — both premium, natural ice melt products designed for performance and safety.
• ProMelt Essential: A powerful, affordable option for temperatures down to -18°C. It melts fast and offers strong traction but isn’t safe for pets — ideal when pet safety isn’t a factor.
• ProMelt Enhanced: Works in temperatures as low as -21°C and is pet-safe and concrete-safe, making it the go-to choice for homes with pets or delicate surfaces.
Both are 100% natural and mineral-rich (magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and trace minerals). Their large granule size ensures less tracking indoors, faster melting, and less mess overall.
ProMelt is also a concrete safe and dog safe ice melt technique, especially when compared to rock salt. When you pick up a bag of ProMelt from Holmes Agro, you will have the right product and can go on to learn the final variable-application.
4. Application: Get the Best Results
Timing and technique make all the difference. Apply your choice of ice melt evenly before ice forms. This helps prevent icy buildup and makes future shovelling easier.
Use a gloved hand or container to distribute 1/4 to 1/3 cup per square meter. A 20kg bag covers roughly 200–275/square meters. For a standard two-car driveway protection(24ft × 30ft), one bag of ProMelt should last 3–4 applications.
Once applied, you’ll notice easier shovelling, reduced ice buildup, and safer footing all season long.
You can find ProMelt products at Holmes Agro locations across Ontario, Canada — making it easy to prepare before winter hits.
Common Questions and Winter Safety Tips ProMelt Edition
What is the safest ice melt for your lawn?
All ProMelt products reduce the negative impact towards lawn and gardens if used as prescribed.
For the ultimate in performance, select ProMelt Enhanced – a true liquid treated ice melt product, with the power to help preserve lawns and infrastructure while also being more pet friendly.
What is the safest ice melt for dogs?
All ProMelt products are safer around people, plants and pets, but for a combination of performance and being dog safe ice melt, ProMelt Enhanced is your best option.
What’s the best ice melt for extreme cold?
ProMelt Enhanced performs down to -21°C, far beyond the range of standard rock salt.
How does ProMelt compare to rock salt?
ProMelt melts faster, works in colder temperatures, and tracks less. It also contributes significantly less sodium and chloride, making it safer for pets, driveways, and the environment.
Does ProMelt damage concrete?
All ProMelt products are safer for concrete when used as directed. The biggest threat to concrete is trapped moisture — so always remove slush and wet snow before applying ice melt.
How much area does one bag of ProMelt cover?
At the recommended rate, a 20kg bag covers 200–275 m2 (roughly 3–4 uses for a two-car driveway). Typical application rate is 1⁄4 to 1/3 of a cup per square meter.
How long does ProMelt last in storage?
When stored sealed and dry, ProMelt can last up to two years without losing effectiveness.
Where can I use ice melt?
ProMelt can be safely used on all standard winter surfaces — driveways, walkways, and patios — as long as it’s
evenly applied and not overused.
ProMelt Product Comparison
There are many headaches once the temperature drops and snow starts to fall. Between slippery walkways, researching pet-friendly de-icers, vehicles getting stuck, and cleaning up salt tracked indoors, winter can feel unpredictable and endless.
This feeling, however, can be avoided through a simple and cost-effective ice melt solution- ProMelt – now available at Holmes Agro.
Clearing Up Common Ice Removal Misconceptions
To effectively deal with snow-covered walkways and frozen driveways while minimizing the associated headaches of using ice melt, we must first clear up some misunderstandings around common ice removal practices.
Many people believe rock salt or urea are enough to handle icy conditions. The truth is, these products have relatively weak melting capabilities and stop working between -4°C to -10°C, not ideal for harsh Canadian winters.
Worse, traditional rock salt contains high levels of sodium chloride, which can cause chemical burns on pets’ paws, potential toxicity if ingested and not pet-friendly. It’s not the best eco-friendly ice melt choice for a home with curious pets or for maintaining a safe, non-corrosive driveway.
Finally, rock salt is known to be highly corrosive, often damaging concrete, vehicles, and also your lawn. With all this in mind, it’s worth asking, “what’s the smarter way to handle winter ice”?
The Art of Ice Melt
While ice removal at its core is easy to master, some may interpret it as a fine art. Using ice melt isn’t just about throwing salt on the ground — it’s about balance: knowing the forecast, managing snow removal, choosing the right product, and ensuring proper application. Together, these factors turn ice removal from a chore into a simple winter-prep routine.
Remember, ice melt isn’t a substitute for shoveling. Think of it as a preventative measure — it keeps water from re-freezing and reduces the amount of work needed after light snowfalls.
Let’s break down each factor to help you perfect your winter ice melt strategy.
1. Forecast: Stay One Step Ahead
While the weather may be hard to predict, there are many tools that we can use to be proactive with our ice melt strategy. First, consider the seasons and general temperature trends. If leaves are starting to fall, and so is the temperature, it is likely for snow to soon follow. Days of consistent early frost are also indicators that you may need icemelt soon, as this may make some surfaces slippery in the morning. You can also turn to your favorite weather app, channel, or guru to fill you in on when they believe the snow is to arrive. If any of these things point toward
snow in the forecast, it’s time to master the second variable of the art of ice melting, snow removal.
2. Snow Removal: Clear Before You Melt
Ice melt is designed to interact directly with ice or moisture on the ground and turn into a salty liquid that lowers the freezing point of water. If you wanted to reduce how slippery surfaces get from a morning frost, or if you know that snow is a few hours away- lucky for you: no snow removal. However, if you couldn’t get around to it in time,
and you have more than a cm or two of snow, its time to get to work. Spreading ice melt on thick snow wastes product and makes shovelling harder later by compacting snow into ice. You may use 2 or 3 times the amount of ice melt, if you don’t clear the snow first. The ice melt needs to come in direct contact with the moisture on or in the ground. Even just a shovel can make all the difference before applying your driveway-safe ice melt. Once you have determined whether or not (or how) to clear snow, you must master the third variable, product.
3. Product: Choose the Right Ice Melt for Pets and Concrete
At Holmes Agro, we carry two leading options — ProMelt Essential and ProMelt Enhanced — both premium, natural ice melt products designed for performance and safety.
• ProMelt Essential: A powerful, affordable option for temperatures down to -18°C. It melts fast and offers strong traction but isn’t safe for pets — ideal when pet safety isn’t a factor.
• ProMelt Enhanced: Works in temperatures as low as -21°C and is pet-safe and concrete-safe, making it the go-to choice for homes with pets or delicate surfaces.
Both are 100% natural and mineral-rich (magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and trace minerals). Their large granule size ensures less tracking indoors, faster melting, and less mess overall.
ProMelt is also a concrete safe and dog safe ice melt technique, especially when compared to rock salt. When you pick up a bag of ProMelt from Holmes Agro, you will have the right product and can go on to learn the final variable-application.
4. Application: Get the Best Results
Timing and technique make all the difference. Apply your choice of ice melt evenly before ice forms. This helps prevent icy buildup and makes future shovelling easier.
Use a gloved hand or container to distribute 1/4 to 1/3 cup per square meter. A 20kg bag covers roughly 200–275/square meters. For a standard two-car driveway protection(24ft × 30ft), one bag of ProMelt should last 3–4 applications.
Once applied, you’ll notice easier shovelling, reduced ice buildup, and safer footing all season long.
You can find ProMelt products at Holmes Agro locations across Ontario, Canada — making it easy to prepare before winter hits.
Common Questions and Winter Safety Tips ProMelt Edition
What is the safest ice melt for your lawn?
All ProMelt products reduce the negative impact towards lawn and gardens if used as prescribed.
For the ultimate in performance, select ProMelt Enhanced – a true liquid treated ice melt product, with the power to help preserve lawns and infrastructure while also being more pet friendly.
What is the safest ice melt for dogs?
All ProMelt products are safer around people, plants and pets, but for a combination of performance and being dog safe ice melt, ProMelt Enhanced is your best option.
What’s the best ice melt for extreme cold?
ProMelt Enhanced performs down to -21°C, far beyond the range of standard rock salt.
How does ProMelt compare to rock salt?
ProMelt melts faster, works in colder temperatures, and tracks less. It also contributes significantly less sodium and chloride, making it safer for pets, driveways, and the environment.
Does ProMelt damage concrete?
All ProMelt products are safer for concrete when used as directed. The biggest threat to concrete is trapped moisture — so always remove slush and wet snow before applying ice melt.
How much area does one bag of ProMelt cover?
At the recommended rate, a 20kg bag covers 200–275 m2 (roughly 3–4 uses for a two-car driveway). Typical application rate is 1⁄4 to 1/3 of a cup per square meter.
How long does ProMelt last in storage?
When stored sealed and dry, ProMelt can last up to two years without losing effectiveness.
Where can I use ice melt?
ProMelt can be safely used on all standard winter surfaces — driveways, walkways, and patios — as long as it’s
evenly applied and not overused.
ProMelt Product Comparison