Slippery walkways are becoming an issue with the snow and colder temperatures here in Minnesota. When you live in a colder climate, ice is always a safety issue. There are two primary tools homeowners can use to prevent buildup of ice.
Salt: Rock salt is effective because it reduces the freezing temperature of water. This type of salt is mined underground and is effective in temperatures over 12°F. However, it eats away at cement and steel, which is why cars tend to suffer so much in colder climates. There’s also concern that salty water runoff affects groundwater supplies. However, this is a good option to use when you have a small surface that needs to be de-iced. Bags of salt are available in the winter in many hardware and grocery stores.
Sand: The other common de-icer is sand. Although this material doesn’t melt ice, it does add traction to icy surfaces, reducing slips and crashes, which is why it is often used on roadways. Because it doesn’t affect the chemical makeup of the melted water and it works in any temperature, many cities use this as their primary ice management system. The drawback to sand is that it can clog drains and build up in drainage areas. It also needs to be reapplied every time it’s covered by snow. Playground sand is better to use than mason’s sand because it’s much coarser.
If neither of these options is appealing, you can also use kitty litter, sawdust, or wood ash instead.
The best way to prevent ice buildup, however, is to keep snow off of your walkways and driveway. By doing this, you prevent it from compacting and turning into sheets of ice. When it snows, remove the snow as quickly as you can and as often as necessary when long winter storms hit.
Although ice is a part of winter, it doesn’t need to be a safety hazard. Using these methods to keep it off of your walkways will cut down on slips, falls, and injuries.
