1. Shovel first, salt second:
Always make sure to shovel the snow before you apply salt. This will allow you to use less salt, and it will be more effective in melting the ice.
2. More is not better!:
Using too much salt can cause major damage to your driveway and lawn once the snow melts.
3. Spread salt evenly:
Don’t pile on the salt in patches, even if some areas seem to be worse than others.
4. Choose the right salt:
Different salts work best in different temperatures. If you live in an area with below zero temperature days, then you most likely need a salt that works past below zero temperatures, like calcium chloride.
5. Clean paws and hands:
Many salts are abrasive and can make your skin itchy and red. Also, many salts such as sodium chloride, are extremely toxic to pets. If you’re out walking your pet, make sure to wash off any salt that may have gotten on their paws.
Melting temperature of 5°F
Advantages: Cost-Effective. Lowers freezing point of water to 20° F.
Disadvantages: May cause asphalt damage.
Dangers: Lethal if ingested.
NOTE: If you use a vehicle in the winter and park it outside on the asphalt, the rock salt mixture from the roads will melt off of your car and soak into the voids in the asphalt.
Melting temperature of -25°F
Advantages: More effective than Rock Salt: covers more area and works faster. Safer to use on asphalt than rock salt.
Disadvantages: More expensive than rock salt. If over applied it can cause damage to lawn/asphalt when snow melts. The excessive salt will mix with the water and get into cracks/vegetation.
Dangers: Not pet friendly but not as dangerous as rock salt.
Melting temperature of -15°F
Advantages: All natural. Safer around pets. More effective than Rock Salt.
Disadvantages: Expensive. It can cause damage to asphalt but not as much as Rock Salt.
Melting temperature of 0-20°F
Advantages: Stop ice before it starts. Safest option. All natural. Pet/Vegetation friendly. Little to no damage to asphalt.
Disadvantages: Expensive. Not a good option after ice has accumulated.
Expert Commercial Pavement Maintenance: Asphalt Resurfacing, Milling, Sealcoating, Line Striping, and Patching Services.
Location: 217 Luxor Rd. Latrobe Pa 15650
Phone: (724) 832-8451
Fax: (724) 832-8451
Email: brantsasphalt@comcast.net
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