How much salt for snow removal is needed?

Too much Salt can ruin surrounding landscaping plants.

Many people use more salt than they need.  But using more salt does not melt more ice, or melt it faster. In reality, salt only works when there is enough snow or ice for it to react with and excess crystals will eventually become a pollutant. It’s best to use less than four pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet. One pound of salt fills up a 12-ounce coffee mug.

Here are some easy ways you can help:

• Shovel!  When you remove snow and ice manually the more effective salt can be. If possible,keep up with any major storms by doing a little at a time.
• Shovel more!  Break up ice and decide if application of a de-icer or sand is necessary to maintain traction.
• Use salt sparingly. As a general rule, use no more than four pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet (an average parking space is about 150 square feet). One pound of salt is approximately a heaping 12-ounce coffee mug.
• Don’t use salt when temperatures fall below 15 degrees (Fahrenheit).  Salt stops working around this temperature. For traction use sand. Some de-icers do work in colder temperatures. Check the product’s “practical melting point” not the “eutectic temperature”.

Know your salts. Salts can range from simple table salt to calcium chloride. Salts are used due to their ability to decrease the freezing point of water. Using calcium chloride is less harmful to the environment than sodium chloride (rock salt), but it is also more expensive. Whatever product you chose make sure you know at what temperature it won’t work. Many labels refer to the “eutectic temperature”, but it is important to use the “practical melting temperature.” If it is too cold for salt to work, use sand instead.

Nelson’s Landscaping Promise:

We strive to provide efficient and reliable snow removal and ice control services at affordable rates.  As we adapt to ever changing weather conditions, safety is our main concern.