Better Alternatives To Salting Your Patio

All it takes is one night of freezing rain and a thin layer of snow to turn your driveway into a skating rink. But salting your patio (and the sidewalks and thoroughfares that surround your home), while effective, can do serious damage to the environment. In fact, in most states, it’s illegal to dump salt directly into a waterway. So what’s an ice-averse homeowner to do? We’ve got you covered with these safe ways to reduce the chances of slipping and falling on your driveway.

First, let’s talk about why you should not salt your patios and driveways.

Salt is a corrosive agent that can weaken the concrete, brick, stone, or pavers of your patio. Salt is also a powerful deicer and will melt snow and ice on contact. However, when you apply salt to your patio, it tends to run off into cracks in the concrete and let moisture into those cracks. When this happens over time, it weakens the concrete so much that it begins to crumble away at its base. This allows water to seep under the surface instead of staying on top where it belongs—which may lead to further damage if left untreated for too long!

Alternatives To Rock Salt For Deicing

Let’s discuss all natural ice melt or traction agents that can be used in place of salt.

Sand as an alternative for traction.

Sand is a better alternative to salt for traction. Sand is a natural product that’s not as harmful to the environment, unlike salt. Sand also provides a solid traction surface for walking on your patio or driveway.

There are some drawbacks to using sand instead of salt for traction though. If you’re looking for something that will last through winter weather and keep your patio free of ice, then sand may not be the best option because it doesn’t melt ice (and can’t be used in place of rock salt).

Cat Litter

Cat litter can be used in place of ice melt. Cat litter with low moisture content is best for this purpose. While it may do the job it’s not the most environmentally friendly option. There are several disadvantages to using cat litter as an ice melt:

• It will leave clay particles on your patio that aren’t very easy to clean off.
• If the clay isn’t completely dry before you sweep it up, there might be some residual moisture left over that can cause problems later.

Sugar beet juice

Sugar beet juice is another alternative for salting your driveway. It’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. It won’t corrode metal or cause any fires.

However, there are some drawbacks: first, it’s not as effective as salt at melting ice—and it doesn’t melt snow either! Also, it can be expensive to buy in bulk (though you might find some pre-made mixes).

All-natural ice melt or Traction agent as an alternative to salt

Salt is a common solution for icy roads and sidewalks, but it has environmental drawbacks. Salt runoff can contaminate waterways, harming biodiversity and negatively impacting our health. Fortunately, there are alternatives like Traction Magic specifically designed to solve this problem. You can say Traction Magic is an all-natural ice melt. Although it’s not an ice melt technically. It provides traction. It comprises natural volcanic rock and seven other minerals that are 100% environment-friendly and can be used on your driveway or snow-covered roof. 

It will ease your way through the slippery winter months while keeping your walkways safe from negative effects.

Other Ice Melt Products

Safe Paw

The Original and the #1 Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.

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Safe Thaw

Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Ice and Snow Management You Can Trust.

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