Application Rates: How Much Granular Salt Do I Need?

If you still need salt once the sidewalk and driveway have been cleared, use it sparingly. You do not need a lot of salt to be safe. The deicer packaging may have some application rates on it. These will work, but are likely higher than what is really needed in most cases to gain safe surfaces while also trying to reduce salt use to protect the environment.

For small icy patches and high-traffic areas, spot treat only where salt is truly needed.

For larger areas, apply about 1 pound of salt per 250 square feet. This is equivalent to a 12-oz coffee cup (about 1 lb.) of salt scattered upon 10 sidewalk squares or a small 20 foot long by 12-foot-wide driveway. Use no more than 4 lbs. of salt per 1,000 square feet. If you are using a blend containing calcium or magnesium chloride you may be able to use even less. These chemicals absorb moisture from the air to jump start the melting process and help the deicer stick to the pavement. If you have a lot of ice bonded to the pavement, more salt may be needed.

Another way to determine deicer application rates is to focus on the spacing between salt granules. Granular salt crystals should be spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart. You should see space between the grains, not a layer of salt. Melting will start and move out from the salt granule up to a few inches depending upon the size of the salt granule. Pavement does not need to be completely bare; there only needs to be enough bare pavement to provide traction under a foot or tire.

Snow left behind after shoveling can become compacted, and compacted snow often leads to using more salt. Give the salt time to work, especially in cold weather. Adding more salt will not speed up melting. 

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