How to Keep Ice From Forming on the Front Stoop

A slippery front stoop presents a safety hazard.

One wrong step onto an icy front stoop is enough to cause serious injury. While an accumulation of snow and ice is par for the course in winter, inclement weather doesn't have to cause injuries due to slipping or falling. It's important to have safe and secure footing when you step outside. To keep yourself and others safe, you must prevent ice from forming and building up on the front stoop.

Things You'll Need

• Snow shovel
• Broom
• Bucket
• 1/2-pound magnesium chloride
• 1/2-pound sand

Instructions

1. 

   Keep a shovel on your front stoop for easy access.

   Shovel your front stoop throughout snowfall. Snow that's left to accumulate can become very heavy and difficult to remove, and turns icy as it melts and refreezes.

2. Remove snow to an area off your walking or driveway path. Toss or carefully carry shovelfuls of snow to your yard or garden area.

3. Sweep your front stoop in between shoveling to keep the surface free of any accumulation.

4. 

   Sand makes your ice melt last longer and provides important traction.

   Fill a bucket with 1/2-pound each of magnesium chloride and inexpensive playground sand. Mix the two ingredients together.

5. Sprinkle the magnesium chloride and sand mixture over your front stoop early during snowfall or sleet. Reapply the mixture as needed after shoveling or sweeping off the front stoop.

Tips & Warnings

• Repair leaky gutters that drip onto the front stoop and contribute toward ice accumulation.

• Wear snow boots with traction to prevent slipping on icy surfaces.

• Magnesium chloride-based ice melt can be purchased at a hardware store and works in temperatures as cold as -13 degrees Fahrenheit.

References

• Ask the Builder: Deicing Salt and Concrete
• Iowa State University Extension: Deicing Materials for Slick Sidewalks and Roads
• Whiteacre Greer: Winter Sidewalk Maintenance