What Can I Put on a Driveway for Ice?

Salt

• Salt is a well-known solution for melting ice. It lowers the freezing point of water to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the salt needs to dissolve in water to be effective. Dissolving the salt first and making a brine create a more effective ice-melting solution. Salt brine works even better if you apply it before the ice hits the driveway. However, salt accumulates in the soil, and most plants will not tolerate salt.

Sand

• Working on ice much the same way as sandpaper works on wood, the grit from sand freezes to the surface of the driveway, disrupting the smooth finish. When you walk across sandy ice, your shoes have something to grip onto and you keep your step. The sand will not melt snow, so if more falls, you will need to apply another layer of sand before venturing out.

Calcium Chloride

• Calcium chloride works much the same way as salt, lowering the freezing point to about -15 degrees Fahrenheit. However, calcium chloride attracts moisture from the air, creating a brine faster than salt. In addition, this ice melter is not as toxic to plants and will not ruin concrete surfaces, although you should use any ice melter in moderation. Calcium chloride is not suitable for temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit as the surfaces will get slippery with the attracted moisture.

Potassium Acetate

• A chemical that airports often use to deice their planes and runways, potassium acetate thaws ice down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and then decomposes into biodegradable substances. However, the application of potassium acetate is not suitable in areas where the runoff will affect bodies of water since it harms aquatic life. Like other deicers, you should use it in moderation.