To snow or not to snow...
4-8 inches of snow over the next 24 hours? I’ll believe it when I see it. I LOVE snow!! My dream is to get a blizzard on a Thursday and be snowed in and be “forced” to miss work. But once the snow or ice hits us, and it’s time to clean-up, what is the best product to use?
There are so many opinions on which product is best. But questions still arise. Will it harm the surface? What if I have pets? What if I have a cedar deck? This can go on and on. Bottom line to this discussion is for you to educate yourself with the choices of products available, and what surface your treating, and then decide on your own.
A major argument that I have heard is that rock salt (Sodium Chloride) is harmful to concrete. I contacted a major manufacturer of this product and they stated that the chemicals in chloride products do not chemically attack concrete. Melt water, referred to as brine, from the deicing process may soak into the porous concrete and re-freeze, causing pressure within the concrete surface. Concrete that lacks the strength to withstand this pressure my spall or scale. Sounds like hogwash to me, but after talking with a concrete company locally, they agreed with the assessment.
So again, I reiterate, do your own research and make an educated purchase first. Here are four products sold at a local feed store available for ice and snow.
Rock Salt (sodium chloride): Melts quickly, last longer than most products sold in 25lb bags for $5, and a 50 lb bag for $8.75.
Enviro Melt: Environmentally safe, made with potassium chloride and pet safe, sold in a 20lb bag for $6, and a 50lb bag for $13.75.
PawPal: Natural materials, environmental and pet friendly. Sold in 20lb bag for $8.25 and a gal jug for $12.50.
Sand: No ice melting qualities, strictly used for traction. Sold in 40lb bags for $2.79. This can also be bought in tubes and placed in your trunk for weight.
Again, I re-iterate, educate your self. If you have a new driveway, a composite deck, wood porch, asphalt, ask your contractor, and/or check the manufacturer what is the preferred method for fighting ice.
Let it snow…………………………
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