708 Erie St, Little Valley, NY 14755
708 Erie St, Little Valley, NY 14755
Original Magic Treated Salt is standard rock salt that has been coated with a proprietary liquid blend of Distillers Condensed Solubles (DCS) and Magnesium Chloride. This transforms ordinary salt into a high-performance ice-melting product that works faster, lasts longer, and adheres better to surfaces.
Treated salt sticks to the pavement rather than bouncing or scattering. It melts ice at lower temperatures, prevents ice from bonding to surfaces, and provides a residual effect that keeps working throughout a storm. You also typically use 30–50% less treated salt than untreated rock salt.
Treated Salt: Effective down to around –35°F.
Liquid Original Magic®: Effective down to –45°F.
This makes both products reliable in extreme winter conditions where untreated salt would fail.
Because of its adhesive and residual properties, treated salt continues to work throughout multiple snow or ice events, reducing the need for repeated applications.
Yes. Pre-treating surfaces or stockpiles with treated salt or liquid anti-icer prevents the formation of hard-packed ice, making plowing faster and surfaces safer for vehicles and pedestrians.
Standard application: 8 gallons of liquid per ton of rock salt to create treated salt.
Anti-icing: 20 gallons per acre or per lane mile of liquid anti-icer is typical.
Rates can vary based on surface type, temperature, and expected storm intensity.
Both options are available. You can apply it yourself using proper equipment like a trash pump, hydroseeder, or deicing tank. Alternatively, James Ruper Landscaping offers professional application services for parking lots, driveways, and stockpiles.
Because treated salt provides a residual effect, most surfaces only require one application per event. Additional spot applications may be needed for heavy accumulation or extreme cold.
Yes. Treated salt and liquid anti-icers are safe and effective on most paved surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, and parking garages. They are safer for concrete and brick than untreated rock salt.
Yes. Treated salt is 85% less corrosive than untreated salt and is formulated to minimize damage to concrete, brick, and vegetation while still providing effective ice control.
Because it works more efficiently and sticks to the surface, less salt is needed, reducing chloride runoff into soil and waterways. The liquid coating is also biodegradable.
Yes. Liquid Original Magic is non-toxic, water-soluble, biodegradable, and safe for most surfaces, plants, and pets when used as directed.
Yes. Treated salt is much less corrosive, which helps protect snow removal equipment, trucks, and other metal surfaces from damage.
Keep dry treated salt in a covered, elevated area to prevent moisture absorption.
Store liquid anti-icer in tanks, drums, or totes away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Always follow manufacturer recommendations and local safety guidelines.
The minimum is 20 tons for professional stockpile spraying. Smaller piles can be treated with DIY guidance or liquid anti-icer for spot applications.
Spray 8 gallons of liquid anti-icer per ton of rock salt. Mix evenly using a tank with a trash pump, hydroseeder, or other applicator. Proper coating ensures optimal adhesion, reduced scatter, and improved melting performance.
Liquid Anti-Icer: 5-gallon buckets, 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon totes, and bulk delivery (300–4,500 gallons).
Treated Salt: Bulk stockpiles or 50-lb bagged options for contractors and property owners.
Yes. James Ruper Landscaping offers delivery from 300 gallons up to 4,500-gallon trailer loads, ready to be applied on stockpiles or directly to surfaces.
Both options are available. We can professionally spray stockpiles or treat surfaces, or you can apply it yourself with proper equipment.
Yes. It’s common knowledge that rock salt can damage concrete sidewalks and driveways, but the truth is that all ice-melting products can potentially harm concrete if not used properly. The key factor is how salt interacts with water and the concrete’s surface during the freeze/thaw cycle.
The freeze/thaw cycle occurs when ice melts into water and then re-freezes repeatedly.
Rock salt lowers the freezing point of water from 32°F down to around 25°F.
Calcium chloride can lower it even further, down to –25°F.
When temperatures fluctuate, ice melts and then refreezes, which forces water into the concrete and creates internal pressure.
This repeated expansion and contraction can eventually damage the concrete surface.
Concrete looks solid, but it is porous and absorbs water. When ice melts due to salt, the resulting salt/water mixture enters the concrete.
Rock salt is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts additional water.
This extra water can increase by roughly 10% in the concrete.
When temperatures drop below freezing, the absorbed water freezes, expanding and creating hydraulic pressure inside the concrete.
If this pressure exceeds the concrete’s strength, it can cause spalling or pitting of the surface.
Spalling or pitting occurs when the smooth top layer of the concrete flakes or erodes away, exposing the aggregate underneath.
Damage can appear as large sections or small scattered spots.
The more frequent the freeze/thaw cycles, the higher the risk of visible damage.
No. Some concrete types are more susceptible to damage than others:
Freshly poured concrete: Needs about 30 days to cure before ice-melting products are safe to use.
Low-strength concrete: Concrete with compressive strength less than 3,500 PSI has higher porosity and is more likely to experience spalling.
A one-time application of rock salt is unlikely to cause significant damage. The risk increases with frequent applications, repeated freeze/thaw cycles, and use on vulnerable concrete types.
Use ice-melting products sparingly and follow recommended application rates.
Pre-treat surfaces with liquid anti-icers like Original Magic® to reduce the amount of rock salt needed.
Avoid applying salt to freshly poured concrete for at least 30 days.
Consider using low-corrosive treated salts that minimize absorption and freeze/thaw stress.