Here are few tips to help keep your driveway and sidewalks ice-free while minimizing the environmental impact:
Shovel Early, Shovel Often
Removing fresh snow before it has a chance to harden into ice is the best method to keep your pavement clear. Deicers work best when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that needs to be melted, so shovel first, break up any ice patches you can, and then add the salt.
Apply Salt Sparingly
The recommended application rate for sodium chloride or rock salt is one handful per square yard treated. Calcium chloride requires even less salt—one handful for every three square yards treated (about the area of a twin bed). Using more salt than this will not speed up the melting process.
Buy Early and Check Labels
Buy your de-icing product before the big storm, so you don’t end up staring at empty shelves in the stores. Check the label before you buy—although slightly more expensive, calcium chloride (CaCl2) requires less salt, works at lower temperatures and does not contain cyanide, unlike sodium chloride (NaCl, rock salt) which does. Urea is sometimes promoted as “lawn-friendly,” as excess urea will act as a fertilizer. However, the application rate for urea is far greater than your lawn would require, and most of the excess urea will only end up “fertilizing” the stream.
Avoid Kitty Litter and Ashes
While these products are environmentally friendly, they are only marginally effective at adding traction, and do not melt ice. If you need traction, mixing in a small amount of sand and using even less salt is a better option.
For more information on salt, snow and ice in the region, check out the following resources: |
