Wait. Hold the salt

___

Published Date 2/19/2025

Seasoning comes in many forms. But when wintertime has you wishing all that snow and ice and slush away, salt offers the allure of a (relatively) easy solution for your slippery driveway and walkways.

For decade upon decade, salting snow and ice has been considered among the most effective (and cheapest) options for preventing slips, falls, and spinning tires. But there are hidden dangers in using this condiment-in a-bag.

As reported by Realtor.com’s Madeline Bilis, Boston-based Realtor Kate Ziegler says that salt can be very helpful, but only in certain conditions. “Salt works at melting icy surfaces when combined with warmer ground temperatures, sunshine, or friction from traffic,” she explains. “But if it’s very cold and heavy snow is forecasted, salt will do very little beyond making its way into your snowbanks when you eventually clear the driveway.”

In other words, she says, the colder the temperature, the less effective salting your driveway will be. When you get down to temperatures of around 15 degrees or lower, rock salt is basically useless.

If your asphalt driveway is in good condition, it might be relatively immune to salting. If, however, your asphalt driveway is starting to deteriorate, salting can make things worse. And if your driveway is made of concrete, brick, or gravel, salting will almost certainly cause corrosion. And your car? Since rock salt is especially damaging to metal, it’s best to park your car in the garage before salting.

Salting can also pollute water supplies, soil, and plant life—especially because most people are using more salt than they need, according to Bilis. According to Salt Smart, a campaign to reduce the amount of salt that reaches rivers and streams, the right amount is about 12 ounces for a 20-foot-long driveway. If salt piles linger after ice has melted, you likely used too much, according to experts. While it will eventually wash away on its own, that salt will also enter the surrounding soil and water, where it can damage or kill nearby plants and that lawn you take so much pride in each summer.

An alternative is calcium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Expert Wills Mahoney explains that not only does calcium chloride work at colder temperatures (up to 10 degrees below); it’s also better for the water table and safer for pets—though it is more expensive than rock salt.

Sand is another worthy alternative. While it won’t actually melt ice or snow, it won’t throw off the balance of nearby waterways and it can give your tires some traction. Other options? Beet juice, cat litter, wood ash, bird seed, and pickle brine are all environmentally acceptable.

So if you do decide to salt, use less than you think you need—and sweep up any excess to keep it from contaminating the water supply. And consider those alternatives. While it may mean more work for you, consider salting after it snows (and after shoveling) instead of before. It will help minimize the amount of salt you use. Or, just bite the bullet and invest in an electric snow blower.

Realtor, TBWS

All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance; Licensed Mortgage Banker - NY Department of Financial Services; Licensed Mortgage Banker - CT Department of Banking; Licensed Mortgage Banker - PA Department of Banking, Licensed Mortgage Lender – FL Office of Financial Regulation

All rates, fees and programs are subject to change without notice.