Homemade De-Ice for a Driveway

Sodium Chloride

• Sodium chloride is found in a range of configurations -- coarse rock salt, slightly finer kosher salt and extremely fine table salt. Salt rapidly melts ice by disrupting the chemical bonds between hydrogen and oxygen. De-icing salt mixes contain salt and sand. Sand eases distribution by enabling a homeowner to uniformly distribute the mixture. Sand also provides traction and absorbs melted ice. Mix any variety of salt with sand. Coarse salt works well in large areas like driveways. Sodium chloride is effective but highly potent. It damages newly poured concrete and porous surfaces like brick. When temperatures drop below 18 degrees Fahrenheit, the compound is no longer effective.

Calcium and Magnesium Chlorides

• Calcium chloride is another chemical that disturbs ice's chemical bonds and causes it to degrade. Unlike sodium chloride, calcium chloride is effective even when temperatures reach 22 degrees below zero. The substance is strong and damages stone surfaces, porous surfaces, metal, concrete and plants.

  Magnesium chloride is an alternative to calcium chloride. This substance breaks up ice and is capable of working when temperatures dip to 13 degrees below zero. The chemical only moderately harms plants and does not damage metal or concrete. Use magnesium chloride in moderation as the substance contains low levels of cyanide. Purchase the compound in flake or pellet form from home improvement and hardware stores.

Application

• Chemicals like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are mixed with aggregate materials like ashes or kitty litter. Aggregates dilute toxic chemicals. Apply deicer to driveways through the use of granular or liquid mixtures. Liquid de-icers are capable of being spread thinly. Even applications have greater efficacy than clumped, uneven granular distribution. Liquid aggregates like beet juice and diluted molasses or corn syrup are applied more conservatively than granular deicers, making large quantities unnecessary.

Considerations

• Granular mixtures that utilize kitty litter, ashes and sand must be swept up after ice dissipates. Melting snow and ice carries chemical saturated aggregate materials into storm drains and aquifers, where they contaminate water and have the potential to cause algea blooms. Liquid aggregates should be applied only in areas where runoff will not negatively affect water systems. To prevent ice accumulation and to limit the amount of chemicals necessary to prevent ice build up, apply deicers prior to freezing weather.