Keep Icy Walkways Clear Without Damaging the Environment

Deicers are a necessity of life during the Ontario winter. While a cold, sunny day after a snowfall may be enough to keep a walk that has been carefully shovelled ice free, most of the time you will need some type of salt or deicer to keep ice from reappearing on the walks and driveways of your clients. Unfortunately, lots of deicers have some kind of negative environmental consequences. Here is what you need to know to make the best decision for the needs of your clients.

 

The Impact of Salt on the Landscape

 

bulk salt on walkwayRock salt, which is usually pure sodium chloride, is the cheapest and easiest way to deice roads, drives and sidewalks. It causes metal corrosion, as every car owner in Canada knows. When melted snow, ice and sodium chloride flow from walkways and driveways to snow-buried yards, salt levels start to build up in the soil. Lawn grass can suffer, and most ornamental plant species cannot handle high concentrations of salt.

 

If you notice clients with salt burn on their yards in the spring, try using a high calcium lime. That will help it recover, though a better approach is to limit the initial damage.

 

Liquid Deicers

 

Generally speaking, liquid deicers are safer for the ecosystem than rock salt. Though they typically contain some type of salt, the concentration is lower than in standard rock salt. With liquid deicers, there will be less salt accumulating in planting beds and along the rim of the lawn. Liquid deicers also work better than rock salt at low temperatures. A small spray pump is the easiest way to apply them.

 

New Deicing Products

 

deicing walkwayMany of the newer products available for deicing home walkways were designed to be environmentally friendly. They are usually blended products, often containing some salt, but with other additives that are safer to use and make the salt more effective. Byproducts of agricultural operations such as beet sugar refining include organic compounds that are now used in some eco-safe deicers. These come at a notably higher price point and might not be practical for high volume contractors.

A few ice melters have no salt at all. CMA, calcium magnesium acetate, is one of these. It has minimal environmental impact but, again, is more expensive than salt-based deicers.

 

Lessen the Negative Effects of Salt

falling down from ice walkway Some adjustments in the home landscape can also lessen the impact of salts. Add a border of ornamental rock or stone along the edge of client driveways or walkways.   Make it eight to twelve inches deep with several inches of washed gravel below the ornamental stone. Salty runoff water will filter through the gravel with much less of it getting into the lawn and planting beds.

Always apply deicers and rock salt carefully, and don’t use more than needed. Careful application keeps deicer on the pavement where it’s most needed. Lots of damage happens from accidental spreading, splashing and excessive use of deicing products. Being conservative with deicers also saves money.

Environmentally conscious contractors and homeowners will find proper use of the right products is the best way to remove ice without harming the local ecosystem, including ponds, rivers and streams.

Stop by Lane’s Landscaping Supplies to reserve your bulk salt for the winter and keep your clients satisfied and safe from bone-jarring slips.