Eco-Pleasant Methods To De-Ice Your Sidewalk

When the snow begins falling, it’s tempting to retreat into the home and hibernate till spring. However regardless of how tempting, it’s sadly not doable. Even when we didn’t must go to work, laws in most communities maintain people liable for clearing the sidewalks in entrance of their houses.

There may be numerous conflicting recommendation about one of the simplest ways to clear a sidewalk, and most of it doesn’t contemplate environmental impacts. However we do.

Know Your Situations

The easiest way to clear snow is determined by what sort of snow you’ve got. Chances are you’ll solely want a shovel for clearing dry, powdery snow, or chances are you’ll want de-icer even when your snow doesn’t stick. Take snow recommendation with a grain of salt. Higher but, keep away from the salt as a result of it might probably pollute your native water provide — however all the time do contemplate your individual snow circumstances.

Security First

Avoiding chemical compounds is often the most secure selection. Don’t use de-icer if merely shoveling snow will work. If you happen to don’t get snow usually, you possibly can cowl the sidewalk with a tarp when snow is anticipated. After the snow stops, carry the tarp for a transparent pathway.

If shoveling is critical, discover ways to do it safely with out harm. Life-style hackers generally advocate store vacs or leaf blowers as a substitute of shovels for snow elimination. Until you’re bodily unable to shovel snow (and can’t discover somebody who can do it for you) it’s finest to keep away from polluting equipment.

If you happen to should use de-icer, use the smallest efficient quantity and apply it solely the place needed. That mentioned, for areas like driveways and sidewalks that you just do clear, do the job proper. Clearing a path solely as extensive as a snow shovel doesn’t profit wheelchair customers, folks with mobility points, or adults holding a baby’s hand or pushing a stroller. Present a wider path and clear curb cuts to maintain your sidewalk secure for everybody.

Traction

Earlier than reaching for de-icer, contemplate supplies like sandbox sand or kitty litter that received’t soften ice however can present traction. Hearth ash is one other selection; relying in your soil sort, this might be useful to your vegetation. Alfalfa meal is one other materials that will function a fertilizer whereas additionally offering traction.

De-icer

A well-liked and comparatively secure DIY de-icer makes use of dish cleaning soap and rubbing alcohol diluted in sizzling water.

If you happen to should use a industrial de-icer, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride are barely much less dangerous to vegetation (and work at a lot decrease temps) than rock salt (sodium chloride). Urea can work as a de-icer, too. Used sparingly, urea may be useful as a fertilizer. However it might probably additionally result in eutrophication in downstream waters and burn vegetation at increased concentrations.

The EPA maintains an inventory of de-icers that meet their Safer Selection Requirements. These Safer Selection requirements don’t assure absolute security to people, pets, and the atmosphere. However they do exclude essentially the most dangerous elements whereas assuring comparable product efficiency.

Be the Good Neighbor!

Aged or bodily restricted neighbors can’t apply your new de-icing information with out risking harm. About 100 Individuals die shoveling snow yearly. If you may make the time, supply to assist clear a neighbor’s sidewalk to assist forestall falls or worse. It’s an effective way to ascertain a brand new relationship and make your neighborhood a greater place.

Initially printed on January 9, 2020, this text was up to date in December 2022.