How to De-Ice Sidewalk Stairs With Hot Water

Ice may occasionally develop on sidewalks, porches, steps and other walking paths throughout the wintertime in cold or mild climates. Ice on steps can present a major inconvenience or even a hazard. A number of commercially-available deicing compounds can be utilized to melt ice on stairs. Alternatively, a home remedy that involves warmed water is suitable for removing ice in small areas like a porch or steps near a home entrance.

Pot, tea kettle or pitcher
Water
Table salt, water conditioner salt or brine backwash
Spoon or other stir

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a pot or kettle with water and place it on the stove and turn on the heat source to a medium heat. Use a pot or kettle that can be comfortably carried to the icy stairs where the water will be applied. Alternatively, if the hot water directly from the faucet is warm enough, simply fill a pitcher with this water.
- 2
  Add salt or brine to the warming water, slowly stirring the salt in to encourage dissolving until enough salt has been added that no more will dissolve but instead remains as crystals.
- 3
  Turn the heat source off. If the pot or kettle and water are too hot to comfortably handle, let them cool down until the water has reached a more suitable temperature.
- 4
  Slowly pour the hot or warm salt water on the icy stairs. Work from the top of the stairs downward and focus first on clearing a wide enough walking path on the stairs rather than clearing ice from the entire step.
- 5
  Repeat the water heating, salt dissolving and pouring until an adequate ice-free path has been created.

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