Dealing with Unwanted Ice

It is officially December and it is officially cold outside every day of the week. This means that we are going to start dealing with ice more frequently, my friends. You might be wondering, “what are the best tips for getting rid of unwanted ice?” That is a fantastic question, I’m so glad you asked! There are several different tips that I will be sharing with you in this post to hopefully help you tackle the ice this winter!

Now, let’s start off this topic by catching you up to speed on the different types of
de-icers. If you aren’t already aware, there are several different compounds
and mixtures that can be used to get rid of unwanted ice. Each option works
differently and you can choose accordingly.

Rock Salt Ice Melt

• Effective for temperatures of 20 degrees and above

Calcium Chloride Ice Melt  

• (Most Effective) Effective down to temperatures of -25 degrees

Magnesium Chloride

• Effective for temperatures of 0 degrees and above

So, What Do I Use?

In the event that temperatures won’t be dropping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, rock salt is a great option. The unfortunate thing, however, is that we tend to see lower temps here in the Midwest. This is where magnesium chloride and calcium chloride step in to take care of the heavy lifting. Calcium chloride is your best bet, as it is fast-acting and very effective at the lowest temperatures. Magnesium chloride is a good option as well; however, it will not act as fast and tends to be more expensive than other options.

 

Now, How Do I Use It?

You know which de-icer you are going to use, now it’s time to actually put the
stuff down. There are some important tips to consider when applying your
de-icer of choice.

Don’t over apply

• You might be surprised. You don’t have to cover every square inch of your drive. These de-icers can work with just a thin layer of application. Lay down a thin layer prior to the winter storm, and (if possible) lay some down during the storm.

Clean up after the storm

• Don’t leave any left-over salt on the ground after the storm passes. Pits can form in your concrete if you don’t clean up after the storm passes. Make sure to clean it all up and dispose properly.

Avoid newly laid concrete

• It is recommended that you give your concrete one year to cure before applying any de-icers. This is done to ensure that you don’t do any permanent damage to the concrete. If you still want to fight some of the effects of the ice, sand is a safe alternative that will help some.

 

As the winter weather starts to take full effect, make sure you are using the right
de-icer and applying it correctly. The last thing you want is any added stress
on top of the snow, ice, and cold temperatures.

 

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the science behind de-icers, how each one works, and which one is best for your situation, check out this video!

 

 

If you are in need of landscaping or lawn care work, give us a call at (317) 243-0100 or visit our website to see how we might assist you! We would love to partner with you to provide you with the absolute best quality and service!

 

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Have a wonderful week!

–The Berger Hargis Team