The granular product works by boring holes through the ice until it gets to the ground surface where it spreads along the surface, breaking the bond with the ice. Sometimes it may look like the ice has not melted like most top-down surface melters. Upon closer inspection, you will see lots of little holes. This weakens the ice so you can take a shovel and easily break and remove it. The traction minerals will provide traction and extra melting power so you can GO when you are READY.