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Ice
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Posted by GrannyMarsh z4-5 U.P. MICH (My Page) on Tue, Dec 14, 04 at 21:36
| I need some recomendations for de-icing the icy spots in our driveway and on the front porch and steps. The porch and steps face north so it will be a while before the sun gets around to that side of the house. I figure about 3 more months.....The drive is asphalt. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ice
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| There's a liquid de-icer that's been out for a few years. You spray the asphalt before the snow builds up. The story is that the liquid works to prevent ice from building up. |
RE: Ice
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| I remember reading somewhere that Dawn dish detergent works. Can't recall if you put it down before or after though?!? I'm guessing that it must be like Jkirk3279's suggestion - put in on before so that it works to prevent ice from building up. |
RE: Ice
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| Thanks for the above suggestions. However, we have had over 2 feet of snow already! What I need are some ideas on what to use instead of rock salt. Something that is safe for the gardens and lawn and groundwater. |
RE: Ice
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| You may want to check hardware/home and garden-type stores. Here they sell products titled "Melt Grip" or "Ice Melt" or similar names. Some are calcium chloride mixed with sand, another is calcium chloride flakes. The ones with calcium chloride claim they are safe for vegetation and cement if used properly, but double check what it says on the package. They work much more effective than salt too. Some businesses sprinkle it on the sidewalk out front and even on -15 C days (5 F) you can see the ice melting in the sun. I am very cautious about harming my grass so I don’t use anything other than sand. Apparently kitty litter works good too. Sand and kitty liter won’t melt the ice, but they do help make it less slippery. There are other products with potassium chloride as the ingredient, but it doesn’t really say if it’s safe for plants and concrete. At any rate, you may want to do further investigation to see if calcium chloride or potassium chloride are safe. At the very least, you can spread sand or kitty litter to make it less slippery. |
RE: Ice
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| If area isn't very big you could fill old milk jugs w/ hot water and melt away then sprinkle down some play sand or stove ash to keep the last bit from being dangerous. |
RE: Ice
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something else that will work is yak trax. they are a rubber stretchy thing with metal coils around the rubber part. slip them on over the bottom of your boots and off you go. they work pretty good. i take my dog aili for walks. she is permanently stuck in high gear, so sometimes the walks during winter are more eventful then desired. so far, traction hasn't been a problem. try a sporting goods store near you. i'm sure other places sell them too.
3 more months......i dunno keith in calumet |
RE: Ice
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- Posted by MqtMatt z5 Marquette,MI (My Page) on
Mon, Dec 27, 04 at 15:07
Hi GrannyMarsh,
Hello from Marquette. Now that you are living in the UP, you may have to get used to snow and ice on everything all winter. Trying to keep everything completely clear of all ice and snow all winter is basically futile and expensive. Keep everything clear as best you can with shoveling and snowblowing. The rest you'll have live with. Welcome to the U.P.!
Matt |
RE: Ice
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| Years ago when I did yard work for a little old lady, after shoveling the snow, she sprinkled Urea to melt the ice. she didn't use much--1 big bag lasted 2 years--but said that it wouldn't kill the plants like salt did. This was in the north shore suburbs of chicago-- and seemed to do the job for her. hope it helps |
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