How to Melt the Giant Snow Mound on a Patio

Melting snow on a patio is easy.

Large snow mounds on a patio will always last longer than snow cover on the ground. That's because the snow pile is self-insulating. The layers of snow on the outside of the pile keep the inside of the pile nice and frozen. Outside temperatures can reach 90 degrees F and large piles will continue to persist. De-icing salts won't work either, because they can't penetrate the mound. To get the pile to melt faster, you'll have to dismantle it.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• De-icing salt

Instructions

1. Spread the snow mound out over the patio with the help of a sturdy shovel. Start at the top of the pile. You may need to stab the snow with the blade a few times to melt any ice crystals. If you reach compacted ice, sprinkle a little de-icing salt on the hardened ice to melt it and make it easier to dismantle.

2. Sprinkle de-icing salt over the patio at a rate of 1/4 cup per square meter. Magnesium chloride de-icing salt is best for use on patios. According to Tim Carter of Ask the Builder, of all types of de-icing salt, magnesium chloride is the least corrosive to wood, metal and nearby plants.

3. Shovel the melted slush off of the patio and dump it into a lined trash can. Do not dump the salted ice onto the soil. High levels of salt persist in the soil for decades and may interfere with plant growth.

4. Hose the patio down to remove the remaining salt.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of spreading de-icing salts over the snow, spread the snow out over the yard. Now that it's not piled up, it will melt quickly on its own.

References

• Ask the Builder; Tim Carter; Deicing Salt Concrete
• AZ Central; 90-Degree Heat Can't Melt Boston-Area Snow Pile; Associated Press; June 2011
• "Extreme Weather"; Terry Jennings; 2005