How to Deal With an Icy Walkway

Get rid of ice and snow.

In freezing temperatures and snowy weather, walkways, driveways and sidewalks can freeze over, making it difficult and dangerous for anyone to walk or drive on them. A snow shovel alone cannot break the ice without the help of other chemicals or substances. A trip to the hardware store for some sand and ice-melting pellets gets you everything you need to break up ice and snow.

Things You'll Need

• CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) pellets, 1 lb.
• Sand, 50 lbs.
• Large plastic bucket
• Snow shovel
• Trash bag

Instructions

1. Mix 1 lb. of CMA pellets with 50 lbs. of sand in a large plastic bucket.

2. Sprinkle the sand mixture over the ice using a snow shovel.

3. Allow the sand and CMA mixture to sit on the ice for 15 minutes to melt and break up the ice.

4. Shovel up the remnants of the sand mixture and the ice. Dispose of them in a plastic bag.

5. Sprinkle more of the sand mixture on the ice-free walkways to prevent them from icing over and to provide traction.

Tips & Warnings

• Other chemicals may be used besides CMA, such as calcium chloride or sodium chloride (rock salt), but they may damage plant life and concrete, whereas CMA does not.

• CMA and other ice-melting substances also may be found in a flake or liquid form, but they do not break up the ice as well as the pellets do in extreme temperatures.

• Do not allow the sand mixture to touch your skin directly.

References

• Ask the Builder: Deicing Salt and Concrete
• Home and Garden Ideas; De-Ice a Sidewalk; Anne Davis
• Iowa State University; Deicing Materials for Slick Sidewalks and Roads; 1996