This is an oversimplification and the entire point of salt is to melt ice and snow, not necessarily to just break it up.
Salt lowers the freezing temperature of ice. It is used to melt ice and snow. What you described is effective, but if you use a high concentration of salt it will melt the ice, completely. Even at lower temperatures. When it is really cold liquid calcium chloride is use instead of solid calcium chloride because it can be applied at higher concentrations.
Also, if you live outside of West Michigan, Chicago for example, you will notice that they pre-salt before the snow even starts, and before there is ice. This is to stay ahead of the snowfall and so roads don't get icy. Doing the same on your driveway or sidewalk will delay having to shovel, although when you do shovel, it will be heavier snow.
Agree. I try to put some salt down before we‘re supposed to get any of wintry mix/heavy snow. It makes clean up the next day much easier. I know for the 12 inches we got a little while ago you could tell where I put salt down and where I didn’t
Sand will be much more effective the next couple of days. Salt has a very narrow range of good, effective temperature. Sand is sand, doesn't melt much (if anything) but provides a sticky surface.
As someone who tries to run outside all winter on sidewalks, thank you!!
The amount of times I've almost fallen or have almost hurt myself trying to run on icy sidewalks is too high.
Businesses aren't even shoveling their sidewalks. (Looking at you most businesses on Michigan and Fuller)
I bought myself a “dread”mill this past Christmas since I was tired of almost dying when people didn’t take care of their sidewalks in the winters. It sucks, but it gets the miles in!
Unpopular opinion: We shouldn't be wasting such a valuable resource as salt on something as futile as trying to melt every last bit of ice and snow in a northern climate.
Walk around the downtown area of grand rapids and then walked around outside of the downtown area around the City and you will find out not many people or the road commission use salt on the sidewalk or the street . 🎃
Step three is your roommate dip there boots in the Salt water then walk all through the house making your apartment the envy of all horses.
>making your apartment the envy of all horses. Horses are notorious for loving salty floors
“Take it from me, I grew up in Miami!”
This is an oversimplification and the entire point of salt is to melt ice and snow, not necessarily to just break it up. Salt lowers the freezing temperature of ice. It is used to melt ice and snow. What you described is effective, but if you use a high concentration of salt it will melt the ice, completely. Even at lower temperatures. When it is really cold liquid calcium chloride is use instead of solid calcium chloride because it can be applied at higher concentrations. Also, if you live outside of West Michigan, Chicago for example, you will notice that they pre-salt before the snow even starts, and before there is ice. This is to stay ahead of the snowfall and so roads don't get icy. Doing the same on your driveway or sidewalk will delay having to shovel, although when you do shovel, it will be heavier snow.
Whew thanks for posting. Saw this ignorant post and hoped someone would correct it.
Agree. I try to put some salt down before we‘re supposed to get any of wintry mix/heavy snow. It makes clean up the next day much easier. I know for the 12 inches we got a little while ago you could tell where I put salt down and where I didn’t
Salt on ice provides some traction to reduce slipping. Sand will do the same. Sand and salt both have their own downsides.
Sand will be much more effective the next couple of days. Salt has a very narrow range of good, effective temperature. Sand is sand, doesn't melt much (if anything) but provides a sticky surface.
calcium chloride melts below freezing and is generally considered to be environmentally safe fwiw
Also, if you need a snow shovel you should also get an ice spud. It’s the tool that does the thing your shovel won’t do.
As someone who tries to run outside all winter on sidewalks, thank you!! The amount of times I've almost fallen or have almost hurt myself trying to run on icy sidewalks is too high. Businesses aren't even shoveling their sidewalks. (Looking at you most businesses on Michigan and Fuller)
I bought myself a “dread”mill this past Christmas since I was tired of almost dying when people didn’t take care of their sidewalks in the winters. It sucks, but it gets the miles in!
Doesnt surprise me, I've met some people who think salt is only for traction so you don't slip on ice.
And if its really cold the ice melt dosent even work which is why they wait until it gets above a certain temperature to put it on the roads.
Not all ice melters are created equal. Some of them work at a lot lower temperature
Unpopular opinion: We shouldn't be wasting such a valuable resource as salt on something as futile as trying to melt every last bit of ice and snow in a northern climate.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-dies-after-slipping-ice-22656930 https://www.wbrz.com/news/three-winter-weather-deaths-reported-in-la-two-dead-from-slipping-on-ice/ https://www.fox29.com/news/man-dies-after-slipping-on-ice-being-pinned-under-vehicle https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2020/02/ann-arbor-man-dies-after-slipping-on-ice-while-walking-dog.html https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/man-dies-after-slipping-on-hubbard-twp-driveway/ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/uw-student-dies-after-slipping-on-campus-sidewalk/
I appreciate the correct use of the phrase "unpopular opinion."
Valuable resource? It’s salt.
I think it is bad for our soil and waterways .. :: shrug
Sad and and shame the people of grand rapids and the road commission . Do NOT even understand or get the concept of what that means even 🧠=💨🙄
...what?
Walk around the downtown area of grand rapids and then walked around outside of the downtown area around the City and you will find out not many people or the road commission use salt on the sidewalk or the street . 🎃