How Should I Apply the Calcium Chloride I Bought for My Icy Patio?
Homeowners use calcium chloride to melt ice on sidewalks, driveways and patios. Melting the ice creates a safer surface for walking. Calcium chloride melts snow in colder conditions and works faster than many other ice-melting products. However, the material does cause damage to concrete and corrosion of metal. Runoff from the ice melted with calcium chloride can cause damage to plants around the patio during the next growing season. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove any loose snow and ice from the patio. Shovel away anything that can be physically removed with a shovel or snow blower.
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Spread the calcium chloride on the remaining ice. Use a small cup or container to pour the calcium chloride from the container, then spread it across the patio. Spread the calcium chloride evenly across the patio at a rate of about 3 ounces per square yard.
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Shovel away the remaining ice after allowing the calcium chloride to work for an hour. The calcium chloride causes a melting action that undercuts the ice bond to the patio. Once that bond is broken the remaining ice is easily removed from the patio.
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Tips & Warnings
Calcium chloride can harm plants. This damage occurs when the material washes into soil in the spring. Soak the area contaminated with calcium chloride with extra watering about four times over a two- or three-week period in the spring. This dilutes the calcium chloride below the point that would harm plants.
Calcium chloride is effective in melting ice to about 30 degrees below zero. Applications below this point have little effect.
Calcium chloride can cause chemical burns to exposed skin. Do not spread it with unprotected hands or allow the chemical to come in contact with unprotected skin. Avoid spreading calcium chloride in areas where it will come in contact with new concrete or metal structures.
Always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
