Should i salt before it snows

While it may not completely melt all the snow that falls, applying ice melt prior to snowfall will simplify ice and snow removal. Dispersing ice melt during snowfall will prevent snow from becoming hard-packed and resulting in dangerous icy layers. In general, after about an inch of snow has fallen it should be shoveled and ice melt should be reapplied.

With this option, you can also eliminate any concern of damage to your driveway, walkways, and stairs; risk to your pets or landscaping; and post-storm cleanup. Plus tips on how to enjoy your snow day! Jun 19, Posted by: Abigail Stock Ice , snow and ice management , snow removal. Tips for Using Ice Melt Effectively In order to use ice melt optimally, consider the following tips: Follow the product directions regarding the amount of ice melt to disperse.

Only four pounds of salt is needed for every 1, square feet being treated. If salt crystals are visible after the surface has dried, you have used too much salt and can use less the next time. Also remember to use safety precautions when spreading salt. Use gloves to help protect your skin, and be careful when navigating slippery areas.

Ice that thaws during the day may refreeze at night, so regularly check surfaces that may need to be retreated. Enjoy the snow! Thanks for pointing out that while rock salt can be manually spread using a shovel or scoop, a garden spreader is much easier to use.

I think it would be smart to get a spreader because then you could use it for rock salt in the winter and for your garden in the spring.

I also think that it would help make sure that the rock salt got spread over a wider area and was spread more evenly. United States. Login United States. Product successfully added to your shopping cart. The first snowfall gives a sense of excitement, but after that, you remember that this snow has to be shovelled to keep you safe from slipping.

In colder climate countries, we observe people tossing out salt to melt snow. Snow falls like fluffy flakes , but due to the foot traffic, the snow packs down into dangerous slippery ice. To avoid slips and falls, you should put salt out even before the harsh winter snowfalls arrive. The salt is used not only for the snow but also for the ice that is formed. Removing snow and ice from the driveways is a hard, intensive process with cold and wet conditions.

The labour also finds it very difficult to remove the salt in these conditions. It is also very dangerous to leave the ice as it is on the slippery driveways. So even before the snow falls, it is suggested to pretreat driveways with salt and other deicing agents and prevent the snow from freezing into ice. Anti-icing agents lower the freezing point of snow, and it is easy for you to remove the snow before freezing.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Most people wake up to snow, do some shoveling, and toss some salt on the sidewalk to make it safe to walk. There are right ways and wrong ways to deal with icy walks and driveways. Salt melts ice, but the water it makes will freeze again if the temperatures are right.