How to Apply Salt to Concrete to Melt Ice

Salt for melting ice on concrete such as sidewalks comes in four varieties, two of which may damage the surface. If used excessively, calcium chloride and sodium chloride (table salt) harm concrete when freezing and thawing water soaks into the concrete. Magnesium chloride won't corrode concrete or metal, works in below freezing temperatures to minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit and quickly melts ice. Potassium chloride is appropriate for older concrete surfaces.

Things You'll Need

• Snow shovel
• Salt pellets

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Shovel any snow on top of the ice covering the concrete. Remove as much snow as possible.

   • 2

     Scatter salt pellets generously across the concrete. Use 1 cup of salt pellets per 6 square feet of concrete. Cover the concrete evenly with salt. If the ice remains unmelted after two hours, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt per 6 square feet,.

   • 3

     Shovel the melted ice fragments from the concrete.