Winter in Toronto means deicing driveways and walkways. However, knowing what the best products for this job are is not always clear. Let’s look at the options.
Currently there are three commonly used items for deicing – rock salt, sand and acetate based deicers.
Rock salt is the most commonly used form of deicer – readily available at any store. While rock salt is perfectly fine for use on asphalt it is probably the worst thing to use on concrete. Since concrete is a porous compound water is quickly absorbed by it. If it then encounters a sudden freeze, concrete can crack and break apart. Since salt is meant to thaw ice, the resulting water will likely be absorbed by the concrete on which it is sitting and should a freeze come along, then your driveway/walkway is in trouble. However, using rock salt on asphalt is perfectly fine.
Sand is your best bet if you are wanting to deice your concrete Toronto driveway or walkway. Sand will not melt the ice but it will create traction so that you are better able to walk on it.
Acetate based deicers are slowly gaining more ground in the market, but they are not very good for the water supply and should be used with caution – although they are the better choice if you have concrete on your property.
If you have the means, then installing a heated driveway and walkway will solve your deicing woes and provide you with a slip-free path all winter long. However, if such a costly option is not something you can entertain, then and if you are really concerned about preserving your concrete or asphalt then your best bet is to simply clean snow and ice off your property as it falls. If you don’t let the snow accumulate, you won’t have to worry about deicing.
Currently there are three commonly used items for deicing – rock salt, sand and acetate based deicers.
Rock salt is the most commonly used form of deicer – readily available at any store. While rock salt is perfectly fine for use on asphalt it is probably the worst thing to use on concrete. Since concrete is a porous compound water is quickly absorbed by it. If it then encounters a sudden freeze, concrete can crack and break apart. Since salt is meant to thaw ice, the resulting water will likely be absorbed by the concrete on which it is sitting and should a freeze come along, then your driveway/walkway is in trouble. However, using rock salt on asphalt is perfectly fine.
Sand is your best bet if you are wanting to deice your concrete Toronto driveway or walkway. Sand will not melt the ice but it will create traction so that you are better able to walk on it.
Acetate based deicers are slowly gaining more ground in the market, but they are not very good for the water supply and should be used with caution – although they are the better choice if you have concrete on your property.
If you have the means, then installing a heated driveway and walkway will solve your deicing woes and provide you with a slip-free path all winter long. However, if such a costly option is not something you can entertain, then and if you are really concerned about preserving your concrete or asphalt then your best bet is to simply clean snow and ice off your property as it falls. If you don’t let the snow accumulate, you won’t have to worry about deicing.
