People living in New York City have to deal with ice and snow building up on their driveways and sidewalks. It can be very dangerous because slippery walking and driving surfaces may increase the risk of falls and accidents. If you want to keep them safe and free of ice, you should know what tools and materials to use, as the incorrect products could potentially damage the concrete surfaces. Let us discuss the simple and quick ways and sustainable methods to remove ice and make them safe and clean.
Quick Way to Melt Ice on Sidewalks
The most common and quick way to melt ice on sidewalks is using rock salt. When sprinkled on ice, it drops the freezing point of water, which melts the ice. It works best when it is warmer than 15°F (-9°C). A thin coat of salt spread on the ice will melt it in a few minutes.
Salt is the fastest way to deice sidewalks and other concrete surfaces, but it also has some major problems. In fact, it can do a lot of damage to your concrete. Sodium chloride (rock salt) breaks down the concrete when left on it for a long time. Once the snow and ice have cleared, the salt residue can hurt the outer layer of concrete and do severe damage by getting into the cracks and pores.
If you have to use only rock salt and nothing else works, use it only to melt the ice, then use a shovel to clear the surface within 20 to 30 minutes.
How to Remove Ice without Damaging Concrete?
Although spreading rock salt is a quick and simpler way to deice your concrete surfaces, it has some unwanted side effects on plants and grass nearby, and the concrete surface can also be damaged. Therefore, the ideal approach would be to use methods and techniques that not only melt the ice but also don't harm the concrete surfaces. Following are the best options to remove ice without damaging the surfaces.
Deice with Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride
Magnesium chloride and calcium chloride are two common choices that can melt ice effectively from your driveway and sidewalk without damaging their surfaces because they are softer than salt.
Magnesium chloride is not harmful to our ecosystem or pets. Whether it is in the form of pellets or flakes, it works well to melt slippery ice. It will easily and quickly penetrate the frozen surfaces, creating a brine that effectively removes snow from driveways and sidewalks by breaking the bonds between the ice and the surface.
Calcium chloride is also a good choice because it melts the ice a little bit faster than magnesium chloride. It does much better work in the form of pellets instead of flakes.
Using Calcium Magnesium Acetate
Another alternative to de-ice is calcium magnesium acetate. It is the main ingredient in vinegar and safe to use for concrete surfaces as well as plants. Under certain conditions, such as when the temperature falls below 20 °C, it may not function effectively.
Removing Ice with Urea
Urea usually works as fertilizer, but it can be useful in the process of deicing. It works effectively when the ground is wet. Although it does not break down concrete, its excessive use can harm plants and water resources in the area. When the temperature falls below 59.0°F, it may not work properly.
Sustainable Ways to Melt Ice on Driveway
Chemical de-icers are the best and fastest way to remove the ice from driveways, but they are harmful for water, plants, and pets. There are some sustainable and eco-friendly ways you should try that match your standard, as they are better for both the landscape and pets as well. Although some of them require a big investment, they help you save your money and time in the long run.
Heated Driveways
If you are looking for a long-term solution to keep ice away from your concrete, place the heated coil beneath your concrete driveway. It enables you to control the temperature of the driveway to prevent ice from building up initially. However, it needs a significant amount of investment and a more extensive construction setup to complete.
Snow Melting Mats
Another heated choice is the snow melting mat, but they can only be used during certain times of the year. Putting down a strong, non-slip rubber mat will raise the temperature of the driveway and melt the snow within one hour when connecting it to an electrical source.
Natural Non-slip Material
Natural non-slip materials like sand, wood shavings, birdseed, or sawdust can be used instead of salt or chemical deicer if you want to do something easy and cheap. Although they would not melt the ice but help make the ground safer to walk or drive on by providing a non-slip surface. It will be easy to wash them away when the ice melts or during the rain.
Taking Preventative Measures
By treating your driveway prior to the winter storm, you can prevent the ice from sticking to the surface. This will help remove the ice later.
Applying Liquid Anti-Icer
Applying a thin layer of liquid anti-icer on the surface to keep ice from getting stuck. They form a shield between the ice and the surface that makes the snow removal easier. You can use a fuel sprayer to uniformly coat the surface before snowfall. If there are heavy rainfall predictions, you may need to reapply the anti-icer often.
Using Salt-Based Products
Products based on salt can help stop ice accumulation on the concrete surfaces, but they may not perform as good as the liquid choices. It works best when spreading a thin layer of salt before the snowfall.
Conclusion
Deicing the driveways and sidewalks needs to be done carefully if you want to keep them safe in winter. Traditional rock salt is quick to use, but it can damage the pavement and hurt the environment, so it is not the best choice for everyone.
Chemical de-icers and other eco-friendly and sustainable ways, like heated driveways and snow-melting mats, help prevent the damage to the concrete surfaces. By taking preventative measures, you can make them secure and lower the chance of ice getting stuck. With the right methods that suit you the best, you can make sure that your sidewalks and driveways are clean and easy to get to throughout the winter. If you need professional help with concrete repair, our team is here to assist you. Contact us today to get started.