Concrete question

[mopar4u]

Im in wisconsin. Winters have gotten odd as i get older, a good mix of snow, rain, freeze, thaw, all in december january. Our 3 year old sidewalk to the main door gets very icy at times from mother natures hormonal swings. I typically throw down sand which isnt too bad but gets brought i to the house. I have never used salt on the sidewalk (or any concrete) because i thought it chews up the concrete over time and not the greatest for the dogs. Is this accurate? If so could another option be to throw a flame at the ice using one of these propane torches or will the hot/cold create stress cracks in the concrete?

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[Crfdell]

Calcium chloride is a good product to replace salt and it’s easier on concrete Can be found at feed stores. keep in a sealed container or it will solidify.

 

[wssix99]

I have never used salt on the sidewalk (or any concrete) because i thought it chews up the concrete over time and not the greatest for the dogs. Is this accurate? If so could another option be to throw a flame at the ice using one of these propane torches or will the hot/cold create stress cracks in the concrete?

Salt is fine for concrete pavements like sidewalks. It causes problems on roads and bridges because it eats away at the rebar, which you do not have in your sidewalk. Salt is not the best thing for freshly poured concrete, (I recall that it can promote spalling on fresh concrete.) but your sidewalk is cured so its OK. (Rock salt is even used as an additive to help cure some concrete pours - so there's nothing inherently incompatiable between salt and concrete.)

No ice melts are "safe" for animals but the expensive products upset them less. There are other things you can do. Washing paws is probably wroth the trouble vs. a human falling down an breaking a hip! https://www.aspca.org/news/keeping-pets-safe-during-winter-dangers-ice-melts

Torching the pavement would create thermal stress. That would be bad.

If you want to avoid ice melt completely, you can tear up the sidewak and put down a "radiant sidewalk" down and you'll never have to shovel it or de-ice it again! https://www.warmlyyours.com/en-US/snow-melting/heated-walkway-path

 

[Stuart in MN]

I typically throw down sand which isnt too bad but gets brought i to the house. [/URL]

I think the salt can get tracked into the house just like the sand...another thought is enough salt on the walks could cause damage to your lawn in the spring. I'd stick with sand, and just make sure people wipe their feet when they come in.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I use salt, but only on ice build up.

Best thing I have bought to combat the weather is a heated door mat. It is standard size mat, but the cord is long enough I can move it around. A couple of hours in each spot and no more ice!

 

[mopar4u]

I use salt, but only on ice build up.

Best thing I have bought to combat the weather is a heated door mat. It is standard size mat, but the cord is long enough I can move it around. A couple of hours in each spot and no more ice?

never knew a heated mat existed

thanks

 

[jimindm]

There are a lot of heated type of mats, not just door mats.

You can get them in just about any size.

Have a customer that has the on her sidewalk as it leaves the house down the walk to her driveway. I suppose 30 inches by several feet. It has worked well for her.

I am a private snow contractor, and almost no one here throws sand any more, for the reasons you are asking about. I wouldn't go over board with it but ice melt will work for you.

They have all type of pet friendly stuff, but you will pay more. One thing I would say is hose it off in the spring. Depending how much is used over the winter getting it more diluted before the grass starts waking up in the spring.

You can actually get colored ice melt so you can see how much material you are actually putting down. The other thing about it, is if the new snow and ice are colored, then you may not need to put more down. It will sort of let you know how much is needed and when it needs replenished.

One thing that has not been stated, is do what you can to keep ice from forming there in the first place. Downspouts drain there, sidewalk is low, and many more things can be done to keep the water away from freezing there.