Wondering how you can keep the ice and snow off your sidewalks and driveway this winter – without damaging the surface – or the plants and grass that grow near them?
Although many turn to using rock salt and other salt-laden snow melting products to remove snow and ice buildup on their outdoor walkways and parking surfaces, as you will see below, all too often those products come with their own set of serious issues and problems.
While they might be good at melting ice and snow, they can cause permanent and expensive damage to your concrete and driveway surfaces. But those same products can also be damaging for the plants, shrubs and grass that grow near them. And sometimes, even deadly to them!
Obviously, leaving your walkways and driveways covered with ice and snow isn’t a viable solution. Slips and fall on winter surfaces are a leading cause of emergency room visits in the winter. And avoiding those visits is certainly priority number one!
The good news is that as it turns out, there are a few simple and safe ways to keep your outdoor surfaces clear – all without having to use rock salt and other products that can cause expensive damage!
How To Keep Ice & Snow Off Of Sidewalks & Driveways – Without Damage!
One thing is for sure, rock salt is not a good solution for ice and snow control on surfaces. Rock salt, otherwise known as sodium chloride, is very effective for melting snow and ice from surfaces. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and you can find it in almost every hardware and big-box store around.
Unfortunately, rock salts are also effective at slowly breaking down the surfaces of driveways, sidewalks, and stairs. If the excess salt isn’t properly washed away and removed, it will eventually etch or stain the surfaces.
In addition, as the snow and ice start to melt away, the “saltwater” drains into the surrounding soil. This excess salt is absorbed into the soil and also into the roots and stems of nearby plants and shrubs. The salt then prevents the plants from absorbing other vital nutrients and water.
You might not notice excess salt issues in the wintertime while the plants are still dormant. However, during the springtime, the damage is already there. And it will show very quickly as soon at temperatures warm up.
The excess salt robs the plants of moisture, leaving behind large brown or bare areas in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plants or shrubs. That same salt can also kill of large patches of lawn where the salt residue settled into the surface.
At the same time, the salt in the soil makes it hard to successfully replant grass or grass seed. It can also make it difficult for new plants to grow as well – creating a long term issue.
Safe Alternatives For Snow Melt – How To Keep Ice & Snow Off Of Sidewalks & Driveways
So what’s the answer? Thankfully, there are newer products now available that can work just as well and still be safe for plants. And if you want to go completely natural, there are also some great alternatives that work to keep you from slipping and sliding on your walking and parking areas.
Many of the melting products are still effective down to around -10º Fahrenheit. The types of ingredients vary, but all of these products also won’t kill or damage surrounding plants and shrubs. Even better, they are also marked “pet safe” as well.
Magnesium Chloride – How To Keep Ice & Snow Off Of Sidewalks & Driveways
A good alternative to sodium chloride is magnesium chloride. While it is still a chloride and all chlorides have some degree of corrosive qualities, it has a much lower toxicity level than traditional rock salt.
As long as your concrete has been properly sealed and the product is used sparingly, it shouldn’t harm the surface. The best part is that it is safer for your pets and plants. Affiliate Product Link: HARRIS Kind Melt Pet Friendly Ice and Snow Melter, Fast Acting 100% Pure Magnesium Chloride.
Along the same lines, there is also a pet safe and surface safe product called Safe Paw Pet Ice Melt. It contains zero salt and chlorides, is non-toxic for pets and people, and is completely biodegradable.
You apply it similarly to how you would traditional rock salt without all of the stress and worry. And it works to negative 15° Fahrenheit! Affiliate Link: Safe Paw Pet Ice Melt for Effective Winter Solution
Always Read The Labels!
There are many other “safe” labeled products for melting snow and ice on the market as well. But always be sure to read the labels. You will sometimes notice that sodium chloride is still in the ingredients, even though it might not be prominently on the package.
Also, consider what the manufacturers are stating to know if it will be safe for plants. If a label for the snow or ice melt alternative is “pet friendly”, chances are they are also better for your sidewalks and driveway as well.
Natural Alternatives – How To Keep Ice & Snow Off Of Sidewalks & Driveways
Sometimes, all you need is a little traction to get by until the sun can naturally melt the ice and snow. Materials like sand, kitty litter, wood ashes and sawdust all help provide a little traction on slick surfaces. Wood ashes actually have several uses in your garden over the winter as well. See our article: Using Wood Ashes – How To Rejuvenate Your Garden This Winter With Ashes!
While these products don’t technically melt the snow and ice, they are great alternatives for helping to keep your family safe all while not causing any issues to your plants or pets. They will work best of course when the snow is first shoveled from the surface.
Here is to keeping your sidewalks and driveway free of ice and snow this year – without damaging their surface or the plants nearby!
Simple Garden Life
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.