How to Keep Ice Off a Porch

Keep ice off a porch not only to prevent falls, but also to prevent damage to the porch surface. Concrete, in particular, is harshly affected by repeated freezing and thawing cycles. The water penetrates the upper surface of the concrete, causing the surface to expand when it freezes and weaken the concrete so it breaks apart. Keeping ice off a porch starts with prevention, and then involves dealing with the ice swiftly once it does form. Use deicers sparingly on a porch surface since they are corrosive, and some of the harsher products can pollute waterways and affect plant growth. Magnesium chloride is one of the least corrosive deicing products, and is considered only moderately harmful to plants.

Things You'll Need

• Magnesium chloride
• Waterproof material
• Broom
• Shovel

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Sprinkle magnesium chloride lightly but evenly on the porch when a storm is expected to prevent ice formation. Or cover the porch, particularly if it's small, with a waterproof material.

   • 2

     Sweep or shovel off snow often to keep the porch clear and prevent the snow from compacting and turning into ice.

   • 3

     Chip at any ice that forms with the tip of a shovel to break it up. Shovel the broken pieces of ice off the porch to prevent them from refreezing.

   • 4

     Pour warm water over the porch to melt thin layers of ice that won't break up easily. Shovel the melted ice off the porch.

   • 5

     Sprinkle magnesium chloride over any icy areas that won't break up with a shovel or melt with warm water. Shovel off the ice after it starts to melt.