How to Get Ice Off Your Concrete Steps Without Harming Them

Choose a deicing product that works, or melts, at temperatures that are normal in your geographic location. Magnesium chloride does not harm concrete and is effective at temperatures down to 25 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Potassium chloride is also fairly harmless to concrete, but is only effective down to 12 degrees.

Sprinkle the deicer on the steps, using a gloved hand or disposable cup from which to dispense the deicer. Avoid touching it with unprotected skin, as it can cause chemical burns. Spread the granules evenly on the surface of the ice, following the manufacturer's recommended rates of application.

Observe the steps, the melting ice and the deicer product. As the deicer begins to melt the ice, the granules will appear to sink into the surface. Soon, the surface of the ice will begin to melt, looking less shiny and more dull, and pockmarked with many tiny holes, kind of like old snow that has melted and refrozen after a snowfall. When it appears that some of the granules of deicer have melted through to the concrete beneath the ice, the ice is ready to scrape.

Chop and scrape the ice, using an ice chopper. Hold the handle of the ice chopper near its top end the same way you hold a broomstick. Raise your hands up to the level of your head and push the ice chopper down into the ice. Don't push too hard; you don't want to mar the concrete, just break up the already-melting and somewhat slushy ice. Concrete, even old concrete, will not be harmed by the act of chopping ice. The refreezing of melted ice, combined with the corrosive action of some deicing products, causes the most damage to concrete.

Push the broken-up ice chunks off of the steps with the ice chopper or a snow shovel.