Salt Alternatives
 

Noticed that I'm completely out of salt for deicing my driveway, and it appears that the hardware stores are still having a hard time with their stock levels (Toronto, obviously...) anyone got any good alternatives they've been using?

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Put the kettle on and pour water over it...then use a chipper for breaking the ice.....alternatively, there is sand that the city is now using

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Salt

The real stuff in a box from the store, the stuff you put on ya chips

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Minus 30-35c wind chill warning for tonight and tomorrow, looks like another slippery day.

:(

Cat litter is supposed to work quite well for traction, if you have 'used' cat litter, it will theoretically help melt the snow/ice. Garlic Salt is also supposed to work, though it might work out a tad expensive!

You can also use wood ash or sand for traction, if you are able to obtain any.

:)

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Sand or earth, some bylaws across the country doesn't allow salt to be used.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Apparently, you can use water softener salt as well. It's cheaper too!

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/20-k...er-salt/966409

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Not quite sure how that would work. Water softener salt is pelletised.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

It does indeed. Leaves a bit of a mess behind when the ice melts though.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Not sure using table salt or softener salt would be a good idea. I think it's purer than deicing salt and could damage your driveway and plants.

Cat litter should work for grip. Get the cheapest brand available. Or buy a clay-based industrial absorbent. It's the same stuff.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

I thought that below -10c the salt doesn't melt the ice very well a 10% salt to water mix melts at -6 and 20% at -15

So you throw a sprinkling of salt on the ice and it starts to melt because the ratio is high but as the ice melts the salt gets diluted more and more until it gets to the freezing point.

Hence adding sand ( or in Saskatchewan's case rocks) to the mix?

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

I've just realised that I've been missing a trick on this one.

The stuff the city spreads on my street is crushed stone coated with salt. In the Spring we all sweep it to the kerb and wait for the city to come sweep it up. In future, I think I'll just shove it in a bucket and stick it in the shed for future use.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Urea, from garden centers or farm supply places.


Acts like salt but doesnt trash concrete the same way. PLus it acts to a slightly lower temperature than salt does.

The road people are increasingly spraying calcium chloride solution on the roads. Thats good down to extremely low temperatures.

I thought the rock/sand in the road salt was simply because its in there as they dig it out of the ground anyway, and provides some grip so why go to the trouble of refining it more than you have too? Plus half the time out west its too cold for salt to do anything so they just spread grit for the extra traction it provides rather than to melt anything.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

I thought -15
If it re-freezes, though, it never seems as bad as it was.

Same with the stuff on the street. Milky white looking ice isn't too bad for walking on.

Re: Salt Alternatives
 

Beet juice, that's the new thing to use.

Re: Salt Alternatives