Sidewalk Salt

What’s the Chemical in Sidewalk Salt?

Sidewalk salt typically contains sodium chloride, the same compound found in table salt. When sodium chloride comes into contact with ice, it lowers the freezing point, causing the ice to melt even if the temperature is below water's normal freezing point.

Other chemicals, such as magnesium chloride or calcium chloride, may also be added to sidewalk salt for enhanced effectiveness and faster melting times.

How Does Sidewalk Salt Work?

Using sidewalk salt is a simple and efficient way to melt ice and keep your pathways safe.

Here's how it works:

• Lowers freezing point: When salt is spread on ice, it lowers the freezing point of water. This means the ice starts to melt even if it's below 32°F (0°C).
• Creates a brine solution: As the salt mixes with the thin layer of water on the ice's surface, it forms a brine solution, activating the salt and preventing more ice from forming.
• Increases traction: The brine on the sidewalk reduces slipperiness, making it safer to walk on.
• Works in various temperatures: Some salts, like calcium chloride, can work at much lower temperatures, providing effective ice melting even in extreme cold.

Fox Valley Brine's Sidewalk Salt

Fox Valley Brine's sidewalk salt is designed to provide superior ice-melting performance and safety for your walkways.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Fast-acting formula
• Enhanced safety
• Effective at low temperatures
• Cost-effective
• Easy to spread evenly
• Time-saving application

How Much Salt Should You Put on a Sidewalk?

When applying salt to your sidewalk, be careful not to use too much, as this can be wasteful and potentially harmful to the environment.

A common recommendation is to use about 3 pounds of salt per 100 square feet of surface. Spread the salt evenly across the icy surface, ensuring you cover all the areas where people walk. If the ice is particularly thick, you may need to apply more, but remember that over-salting won't make the ice melt faster.

Is It Better To Put Salt Down Before or After Snow?

It's better to put salt down before the snow falls. Spreading salt on the sidewalk before a snowfall helps prevent ice from forming. The salt will mix with the snow as it falls and create a brine solution that lowers the freezing point of water. This means the snow won't turn into solid ice and will be easier to shovel off.

If you miss the chance to salt before it snows, you can still spread salt afterward to melt the ice that has formed.