Application Rates: When and Where to Apply Salt

When to salt

Always remove snow first, before considering any use of salt. Snow removal by shoveling, blowing, plowing, sweeping, or scraping is one of the best ways to maintain safe sidewalks and driveways without relying on salt. The key is to remove snow before it has a chance to freeze, bond, or get packed down.

Shovel early and often. Fresh snow is easiest to remove. Begin shoveling early in the storm and return periodically to clear new snowfall. This prevents deep accumulation and reduces the risk of snow compaction and ice formation.

Remove as much snow and ice as possible. Shovel and scrape to remove snow and ice. Doing so reduces the amount of salt needed if any is needed at all. One example of a tool that does a great job of removing ice off pavement is an Ultimate Scraper. It has a flexible blade that gets under the ice, pushes it up, and breaks it up. 

Avoid walking or driving on your sidewalk or driveway prior to shoveling. Footsteps and tire tracks compress snow creating icy areas. Icy areas take more effort to remove.

Salt prevents or breaks the bond between the ice and the walking/driving surface, it should not be used to try and melt all of the snow.   

Once the pavement is clear, consider where salt or sand may be needed. Apply salt only to remaining icy patches. 

Do not apply salt during a snow event. Any salt applied while snow is still falling will be covered, pushed into snow piles, or completely ineffective. It is wasteful to apply salt while it continues to snow, and the salt will end up in our waters. 

Where to salt

Take a look at your property and identify where you are concerned that you or someone else may slip and fall if salt is not used. Consider whether sand or grit could be used to make these areas safe. If not, salt can be used to melt the small amount of ice or snow that remains after clearing the area. Avoid applying salt to areas that aren’t used in the winter such as a back patio. 

Spot treat for ice patches and only if necessary—applying salt to an entire area that has been cleared of snow is wasteful and harmful to our waters, lawns, and wildlife.