How to Dissolve Ice Build Up on a Parking Lot

Spread a salt or chemical deicer product throughout the parking lot using a seed spreader, paying particular attention to the icier areas, such as low-lying areas and the edges of the parking lot. Use a thin layer of salt or deicer. Too much can actually impede the melting process. Use the appropriate kind for your weather conditions. For instance, sodium calcium chloride deicers work by releasing heat and therefore work faster, even in cold temperatures down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit. Sodium chloride, or salt, deicers only work down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add a layer of sand or other abrasive to the spots where the ice is thicker and will take longer to dissolve. The sand provides traction to vehicles and people to help reduce the chance of slipping on the ice.

Scrape up the ice when it begins to melt to help clear it more quickly. You can use a metal hand scraper, similar to a shovel, if you have a smaller parking lot or small areas of ice. If you have a larger lot, consider hiring a professional snow removal service to use machines to scrape the ice.