Here we go again.  It is that time of year wher e some of us may spend more time on our butts than on our feet. 

Back in the day, we use to chip and scrape, chip and scrape and chip and scrape till our backs and arms were so tingly and numb that it would hurt just to move them.  Not today, we have De-Ice salts.  The fact is that some De-Ice salts can help cause severe damage over (the years) to concrete that has not been formulated, mixed, or finished properly.  Most of the damage caused to concrete is actually caused by freezing and thawing of water that soaks into the upper surface of the concrete.  The use of De-Ice salts increases the amount of freeze/thaws cycles that a concrete sidewalk or driveway experiences. 

There are four primary De-Icing salts, all with different characteristics.

Sodium chloride or better known as rock salt is the most common.  It can melt snow and ice, until there is a temperature drop to approximately -8 degree  Celsius.  This salt releases the highest amount of chloride ions when it dissolves.  Chloride can pollute stream, rivers, lakes and causes metal to corrode.

Calcium chloride is another De-Icing salt.  They are a small white pellet which continues to melt snow and ice to temperature well below -17degrees Celsius.  It can cause skin irritation if the skin is moist when using it.  Concentration of calcium chloride can seriously harm concrete.

Potassium chloride is only available in some markets.  There is no skin irritation and will not harm vegetation.  Only melts ice and snow when temperatures are above -10 degree Celsius.  But if combined with other chemicals it can melt ice at lower temperatures.

Magnesium chloride, the newest of De-Icing salts.  It will continue to melt snow and ice until the temperature reaches -11 degrees Celsius.  It releases about 40% less chloride into the environment then either rock salt or calcium chloride, it does less damage to concrete and is less toxic to plants, trees and shrubs.  It also does not leave a powder residue to be tracked into your home.

Avoid using fertilizers as a De-Icing agent.  Those that contain ammonium nitrate and amonium sulfate can rapidly disintegrate concrete.

If you do not have salts available, use sand to stop you from slipping and sliding. 

 That is unless you are a kid and love to slip and slide on ice.