How can I melt ice on driveways?

by Sue

Answered

What is the best and safest way to melt ice? We usually use a de-icer, rather than rock salt. I have some concrete chipping and want to avoid further damage. Suggestions? Thank you!

4 answers

Deb K on Dec 02, 2018

Hi Sue, rock salt is likely what ate at your concrete, you can buy deicer that is safe for pets and concrete, or use kitty litter , sand or pebbles

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DesertRose on Dec 02, 2018

We use CLAY cat litter on the ice and snow like you would do rock salt. It is not hard on the environment and helps melt the snow and ice better than you would expect. It also makes the ice less slippery to walk/drive on.

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- Sue on Dec 04, 2018
  
  Thank you for the suggestion! I had never heard of using cat litter. Does the clay litter eventually dissolve? Is it harmful to grass?
  
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- DesertRose on Dec 05, 2018
  
  Sue, people in our part of the country use it all the time, It does NOT hurt the grass or anything,it is as natural as clay you would find in the soil. I did sweep it off the drive after all winter of applying it to new layers of ice and snow all winter (when we lived in the NW near the Rockies. Most winters it just became part of the landscape and soil with out notice. We left it as it helped most of the winter, only when we got an abundance of snow did we have to apply it more.
  
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Oliva on Dec 02, 2018

Sand and ashes have been the only safe options for concrete products. No matter which salt product has been touted as being "safer", it has had a detrimental effect on concrete/pavers, over time, as you have observed.

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Margaret on Dec 03, 2018

Either get out the torch or let the sun shine or sand.

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- Sue on Dec 04, 2018
  
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