It has been cold here in NJ.  It has been very, very, very, very cold.  And icy.  It seems you can’t take three steps outside without doing an involuntary Dorothy Hamill impression . . . which always looks EVER so dignified to onlookers.  As a homeowner, and the one liable if someone slips and injures themselves on your property, it is vital that you keep your steps and walkways as safe as possible during these icy months.  But there’s ways to do so without harming your property or the environment.  A few minutes of thought before purchasing de-icing products can make all of the difference. 

            De-icing salt is readily available, and does a great job at melting ice.  Unfortunately, those same chemicals can harm fish, wildlife, and household pets. In addition, they can corrode your hard masonry outdoor surfaces.  Salt and deicers are effective ice-melting agents because they lower the freezing point of water, turning ice back into water. Unfortunately, the same chemical reaction that turns ice into water also  creates a very salty brine that can make household pets sick, burn human skin, and eats away at outdoor concrete, brick, and stone.
Deicing products also can damage your plants by altering the chemical composition of the soil in planting beds and yards. And when tracked into your home via shoes and boots, salt can seriously damage carpets and wood floors.
            It’s no picnic for the surrounding environment, either.  Because salt is very soluble, it  easily runs off into nearby creeks, rivers, and lakes, where it can have a tremendous effect on native plants and wildlife, and, with continued run-off, cause corrosion of vehicles, bridges and roadways.

            Take a little care when choosing a de-icer.  Be wary of packaging promises like “natural,” “pet-friendly,” or “environmentally safe,” as they can be misleading and inaccurate.  The same goes for products that claim to work better in sub-zero temperatures.  Regard these claims with a grain of salt.  (Hahahahaha!  Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

            Generally speaking, the cheaper the product, the more salt it contains and the more potentially harmful it is to the environment.  Carefully read the ingredient labels to know what you are getting. 

            The most common type of de-icer purchased is sodium chloride.  Also known as rock salt, this basic compound is one of the cheapest ice melters on the market. It has the lowest price per pound, but it’s the hardest on the environment and not that effective at temps less than 15 degrees F. Cost is about $6.00 for a 50-lb. bag.

            There is also calcium chloride: This is one of the best choices for super-cold climates, as it’s effective down to minus 25 degrees F. Although this would hopefully NOT be an issue here.  It’s a better environmental choice than sodium chloride, and the cost is about $20.00 for a 50-lb. bag.

            Finally, there’s calcium magnesium acetate.  It’s relatively new on the market, and it’s a salt-free product that’s more environmentally friendly.  However, it costs more than other de-icers at about $30 .00 for a 50 lb. bag.
Here are a few simple  tips to help you out in the de-icing process:

 

• Remember that a little goes a long way.   Pre-treat walkways before the storm hits.   You’ll need less de-icer in the long run By having a product that best suits your climatic conditions and average low temps, you’ll need to use less of it. Don’t leave piles.  If you mix some sand with your salt, you’ll use less to melt ice, and gain the traction provided by sand.
•  Sand and cat litter does not melt ice, but it can aid in traction. Although, for the love of God, do NOT make the mistake of using CLUMPING cat litter!  You will live to regret it as you clean up a nearly impossible mess later on.  Both sand and litter must eventually be cleaned up when the ice is gone.   
• Keep walkways shoveled in the first place, as snow quickly becomes ice when walked upon..
• Store ice-melt products in airtight containers to maintain maximum effectiveness.  That way you can avoid the “brick-o’-salt” and need for a rubber mallet when it comes time to use it. 

 

            With a little forethought, you can keep your steps and walkway safe for passing, be environmentally friendly, AND take care of your property.  It wouldn’t hurt to do the equivalent of the “rain dance” and pray for the warmer weather to get here, either.  And it might amuse your onlooking neighbors.