The USA began using salt on roadways in the 1930s. Back then we would go through about 5,000 tons in a given winter, while today we easily run through more than 20 million tons of salt according to research at the University of Vermont.

While winter brings forth picturesque landscapes blanketed in snow, it also brings the challenge of icy walkways, driveways, and roads. The task of de-icing often involves balancing safety with environmental concerns. This is because melting snow and ice runs off of hard surfaces. Consequently, the products used to de-ice roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and paths often end up in landscape areas. With numerous options available, understanding the risks and recommendations for effective de-icing becomes crucial.

What Are The Options?

De-icing during winter encompasses a range of methods, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Property managers must find a balance between efficient treatments and being environmentally responsible. Having the wrong product runoff into landscaped beds, turf, aquatic features, or waterways can lead to significant damage. Examples of this damage include dead turf, plant life, and trees. Soil and water can also be permanently damaged by continued overexposure to salt treatments. To avoid the need for a professional landscaping company to come in and repair the damage done each spring, choose your methods for snow and ice control carefully.

Rock Salt / Sodium Chloride

One of the most commonly used deicers, rock salt is a popular choice due to affordability and speed in melting ice due to its lower freezing point at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Because it contains cyanide, however, it can be especially damaging to underwater life. Sodium Chloride can also pose significant risks to plants, waterways, and concrete surfaces. The highly corrosive nature is especially visible on cars after they drive down a salted roadway.

Calcium Chloride

Property and facility managers in the coldest parts of the country should consider calcium chloride for its is effectiveness in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It dissolves easily and acts quickly, leaving no residue behind. Although it is more expensive than common rock salt, about 1/3 as much is needed per square foot. It is also less harmful to plants and concrete than rock salt, and contains no cyanide, but still requires cautious use as it is highly corrosive as well.

Magnesium Chloride

This is a solid choice for property’s with sensitive environmental concerns. It is considered a safer alternative for the environment than both sodium chloride and calcium chloride. Magnesium chloride melts ice effectively as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great choice for even the coldest parts of the country, and is less harmful to surrounding plants and hardscapes.

Potassium Chloride

Like every commercial de-icing option, potassium chloride has it’s tradeoffs. while it is safer for plants, it is also less effective at lower temperatures and comparatively more expensive. The melting point is 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it will act more slowly, and it has a relatively low melt volume capacity. All of this, meshed with the fact that it still causes the potential for corrosion, makes it less desirable than the other options.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)

This option stands out as a top choice for ice melting due to its reduced toxicity compared to chloride-based deicers. It does come at a higher cost and is typically incorporated into blends with more affordable materials like rock salt. CMA operates at temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit with limited ice penetration and melting capacity. While CMA, similar to urea, poses lower risks to plants and wildlife, its high organic content can heighten biological oxygen demand in water bodies, potentially endangering aquatic life.

Urea

A naturally occurring compound, urea is also commonly referred to as carbamide. It is occasionally used as an unconventional ice melt agent due to its ability to lower the freezing point of water, with a melting point of 20 degrees Farenheit. While it’s less effective than traditional de-icers like rock salt, urea is less harmful to plants and wildlife than chloride-based products. However, it’s not commonly used for this purpose due to its cost and potential to negatively impact the environment by contributing to nitrogen runoff, which can harm aquatic ecosystems.

Safe Melting Products

These products are designed to be friendly to the environment and animals. Popular products, like Safe Paw, contain no chloride, salt, or acetate. The main components consist of altered carbonyl diamide crystals, specific glycols, and accelerants in the form of non-ionic surfactants, making it safe for the environment and pet friendly. This is especially good option for multifamily, condo, and HOA properties, where many residents and owners have pets. This is especially true for communities offering dog park amenities.

Natural Alternatives

Properties searching for a 100% eco-friendly de-icing solution can consider pickle brine, alcohol-water mixtures, and sand to provide temporary traction. Each of these options offer varying degrees of effectiveness. One route that can be employed with driveways and walkways is an underground heating system, although this can be costly to install, maintain, and power. While these might pose fewer environmental risks, their efficacy may be limited, and application can present a mess to clean up later.

 

What Are The Risks?

Each de-icing method comes with its set of potential risks, some of which have already been outlined. Apart from the damage done to concrete and hardscapes, as well as the landscaping, there are some other factors to consider as well.

Certain de-icers, especially sodium chloride-based products, can be harmful to pets, causing irritation or even toxicity when ingested or exposed to paws. Dried salt can also attract animals and pets to roadways. Road salt can create such a profound impact on the environment that in 2004 Canada declared it a toxin, and instituted measures for how it is to be applied.

A study done by Science Direct found that sodium and chloride levels in the Mohawk River in Upstate New York rose 130% and 243% respectively from 1952 to 1998. A more recent study of a stream in southeastern New York done by the American Chemical Society found a similar pattern after studying the levels from 1986 to 2005. It is estimated that 91% of the sodium chloride levels are from road salting. Due to short term and long term risks, certain types of de-icing treatments and products have been banned by local or state governments.

What Are Some Recommendations?

Given the various options and associated risks, there are some general recommendations to de-ice effectively while minimizing harm.

Use De-icers Sparingly

Regardless of the type, apply the minimum amount necessary to reduce environmental impact and protect landscapes. Property managers do not need to treat every inch of the parking lot and sidewalk. Following recommended application rates will also help prevent excessive use. This is extremely important because applying more than required won’t help the effectiveness in any way.

Plan Ahead

When a storm is on the horizon, lay deicers before the snow starts to fall. Property managers should always include de-icing key roads and sidewalks in their snow removal plan. If you are going to plant trees and shrubs, keep them at least 3 feet from walkways and 7 feet from roadways where salt may be sprayed.

Consider Safer Alternatives

Magnesium chloride or potassium chloride are safer options that balance effectiveness and reduced environmental impact. There are many pet safe environmentally friendly options out there. In easy way for property and facility managers to choose a safer alternative is requiring their snow removal contractor use EPA approved products.

Combine De-icing Methods

Combining traction producing material like kitty litter with ice melting compounds can limit the environmental impact. For instance, combining sand for traction with environmentally friendly deicers can minimize damage to landscapes, water features, hardscapes, decks, and other outdoor surfaces.

Perform Regular Snow Maintenance

Regardless of the deicer employed, it’s is always going to be essential to have a snow removal plan in place. While this can be easy for parking areas, sidewalks and pedestrian walkways should be shoveled promptly and regularly. This minimizes ice build up, which can reduce the need for excessive de-icing.

Choose Surface-Specific Deicers

There are de-icing methods specifically designed for all types of surfaces. This includes everything from asphalt parking lots and concrete sidewalks to composite decks and steel stairs. To reduce damage, use the appropriate type of deicer for the surface. This is especially true for decking materials. Only use plastic shovels, without a metal edge, and shovel with the grain.

By balancing safety concerns with environmental impact, adopting a conscientious approach to de-icing can significantly reduce damage to landscapes, hardscapes, and the environment while ensuring safety during icy winter conditions.

Winter’s beauty doesn’t have to come at the cost of environmental harm. With careful consideration and judicious use of de-icing methods, it’s possible to keep surfaces clear while safeguarding our landscapes and surroundings.

About The Author

Tom Marsan is a certified snow professional who has been in the landscaping and snow removal industry for about two decades. He is an active member of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association and the Snow and Ice Management Association and is currently the general manager at Beverly Companies in Chicagoland.