Ways to Properly Remove
SNOW & ICE
From Walkways And Patios
With the winter season hitting the northern areas the hardest with its snowfalls, black ice covered roads, and slippery walkways, the great outdoors can become quite the safety hazard. Fear not though, American Gardens is here to save the day! We put together some helpful tips about how to properly remove snow and ice from your walkways and patios.
IMPORTANT!
Never use an ice melt on concrete or mortared stone that’s less than 12 months old because new concrete and mortar needs time to cure and settle. Applying an ice melt can weaken the concrete and mortar and make it more susceptible to future damage.
Using no deicer is best and the affects can vary depending on the conditions.
Continue reading to see the different types of deicers and when to use them.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Price Range: $10-$19* For: Residential and commercial use Recommended Weather Conditions: -25F, moderate snow.ice Who Should Use It: Those in a time crunch Pros: More effective than sodium chloride, fast acting Cons: Can damage grass and plants when over-applied
CALCIUM MAGNESIU ACETATE
Price Range: $20+ For: Parking garages and airports Recommended Weather Conditions: 20F, moderate snow/ice Who Should Use it: Contractors Pros: Environmentally friendly, less corrosive than chloride products Cons: Can damage concrete
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE
Price Range: $10-$19* For: Residential and commercial use Recommended Weather Conditions: -13F, moderate to significant snow/ice Who Should Use it: Pet owners, gardeners, those in a time crunch Pros: Environmentally friendly, safer around pets, more effective than sodium Cons: Can damage plants when over-applied, lethal to pets that suffer kidney disease if ingested
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Price Range: $20+ For: Residential use, especially those with pets Recommended Weather Conditions: 25F, minimal to moderate snow/ice Who Should Use it: Pet owners, gardeners Pros: Environmentally friendly, safer around pets Cons: Can damage grass when over-applied, lethal to pets that suffer kidney disease if ingested
SODIUM CHLORIDE / ROCK SALT
Price Range: $10 or less For: Residential and commercial use Recommended Weather Conditions: 20F, minimal to moderate snow/ice Who Should Use it: Bargain hunters Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Can damage asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, metal, grass, plants, and wood decks (Don't use on concrete less than 1 year old), lethal to pets if ingested
BONUS TIPS
1. Use deicers moderately (read the label) and remove residue during long thaws and again in spring by washing with water.
2. It is best to clean snow from natural stone with a plastic shovel and broom only.
Organic compounds such as urea or sugar beet are better de-icing materials for stone. Using no deicer is best and the affects can vary depending on the conditions.
Sealing can help to protect stone, clay and concrete pavers, brick and concrete. The need for a sealer and the frequency of sealing can vary depending on your situation. Please contact your American Gardens consultant or project manager to discuss. We recommend any sealing be done by an experienced professional.