Ice melt is a winter essential in London, Ontario, but not every product on the shelf is safe for pets, kids, or the landscaping around your driveway and walkways.
Traditional rock salt (sodium chloride) is cheap and effective, but it can irritate paw pads, cause stomach upset if a pet licks it off their feet, and damage grass, garden beds, and concrete with repeated use. It's the product most likely to cause problems for pets and plants.
Pet-safe ice melt products, usually made with a different chloride formula or urea-based blends, are gentler on paws and less toxic if ingested in small amounts. They typically cost more than plain rock salt but are worth it for households with dogs or cats that spend time in the yard.
For plants and lawns, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is one of the least damaging options, since it doesn't build up salt levels in soil the way sodium-based products do. It costs more, but it's a good choice for anyone with sensitive landscaping near a driveway or walkway.
At Thames Valley Snow, we offer a pet-safe de-icer option for $120 plus HST, so you do not have to choose between your pets and a safe, ice-free walkway.
How Cold Each Product Works
Temperature matters as much as safety. Rock salt works poorly below about -10°C. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride keep working at colder temperatures, which is why they appear in many blends. Urea and CMA are gentler but tend to be slower and less effective in deep cold. "Pet-safe" on a label is not a regulated term, so read the ingredient list and keep any product away from pets that like to lick it.
Protecting Paws on Winter Walks
Protecting Lawns, Gardens and Concrete
Most plant damage comes from salty meltwater and plowed snow piled on beds. Pile snow away from shrubs and gardens where possible, avoid spreading product onto the lawn edge, and rinse beds with water in spring. New concrete (under about a year old) and decorative surfaces deserve extra care. Our team marks edges, steps and drains before the season, and uses a raised rubber-edge blade near stamped and paver surfaces.
Use Less, Better
The best way to reduce damage is to remove snow before it packs down, then apply a thin, even layer. Piles of crystals do not work faster; they just wash into the grass. Sand adds traction without melting, and is handy on very cold days.
Where to Focus Treatment
Concentrate ice melt on the spots where people actually walk and where water collects: the bottom and top of steps, the path from the driveway to the door, and the area below downspouts that drip and refreeze overnight. Freezing rain coats everything at once, so treat those high-traffic spots first. Leave untreated the edges near lawns and garden beds when you can.
FAQ
What does seasonal salting include?
Seasonal salting is $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits. Pet-safe de-icer is $120 plus HST.
Can I supply my own product?
Ask us when you request a quote and we can discuss what works for your property.
Ready to stop worrying about winter? Get a free quote (we measure from City of London maps and aerial imagery and reply within 1 business day), or call or text (548) 888-8702. See salting and ice control and our stamped and paver drives page.
What's included… and what's extra
A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.
Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.
Want it handled for you?
Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
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