How to Melt Ice On Sidewalk Pavement: 6 Best Solutions

The winter season brings with it an entire host of potential hazards and dangers. Blowing snow obstructs a driver’s view, while icy surfaces can be the cause for more than a few slips and falls. As it relates to the latter, don’t be surprised to see your city out on patrol at night salting these surfaces to prevent potential peril.

Ice management during the winter season can be a tricky thing to resolve. Your sidewalk pavements have to be consistently managed in order to maintain an overall safe property. Don’t just think you have to resort to salt; there are better alternatives that directly melt the troubling frost. Evaluate the situation and choose the best solution for how to melt ice on the sidewalk pavement.

Icy sidewalks can be a real challenge to deal with, especially if you are trying to clear it away yourself. You’ll want to do this as soon as possible, however, as most cities have bylaws that demand that you get rid of the ice running through your property. To quickly and safely do this, use one of the following methods.

1. Using A Liquid De-icer

One of the best ways for how to melt ice on a sidewalk is by using a liquid de-icer. Not only is this an extremely effective way to melt ice, it requires less solid material to be used in the operation.

A liquid de-icer works by implementing various ice-fighting materials within the fluid. These liquid materials pierce through the ice and melt the frost if applied before an incoming storm. Additionally, if the storm never arrives, the liquid de-icer remains in the pavement. This will pre-emptively prepare your sidewalk in the event that another storm arrives.

2. Rock Salt

Salt is one of the first things that comes to mind when it comes to counteracting the effects of an icy sidewalk. What you may have not initially realized is that it can also assist in the melting process, in addition to providing the required surface traction.

Rock salt works by lowering the freezing point of the frozen water. The ice is melted in small portions, due to the combined solution of salt and water, and disrupts the bond between the ice and the pavement. Visit your local hardware store and grab yourself a bag before the storm hits!

3. Hot Water

Just in case you are being economical with your resources, there is no sheet of ice that hot water can’t penetrate. All you need in this situation is a pot and a water source. Boil some hot water within the pot and take it to the sidewalk pavement.

Gently pour the hot water over the icy area and allow the frost to melt accordingly. The trick in using hot water to melt ice off an icy sidewalk pavement is waiting for the weather to be appropriate. As long as it isn’t applied in the middle of a snow storm, you can proceed to eliminate the troubling patch of ice.

4. Cat Litter

Got a cat? Then you will probably have cat litter lying around in your house. If you have to spare, then you will be in a great position to melt the ice inevitably forming on your sidewalk pavement during the winter.

Acting as a great alternative to de-icers, cat litter first provides traction needed to traverse the surface of the ice. It also doesn’t cause potential harms caused by general salt use. Using a non-toxic cat litter will be safe to use in the event that pets or children are around during the process.

5. Heated Stair Mats

One of the best things about having a stair mat with heating capabilities is that you can use it to melt ice on your sidewalk. Not only does it help in melting solid ice, it can also prevent snow and ice from further accumulating on the pavement. Your choices are almost limitless as well.

Most hardware and department stores offer a variety of heated stair mats to choose from. The best ones will require no initial installation and come at a relatively affordable price. They can also be placed on other surfaces that are impeded by ice formation, posing no risk to nearby pets or kids.

6. Making Your Own De-Icer

If you have the required materials around your household, you may be able to curate your own, do-it-yourself ice melt. The ingredients can vary, depending on which tutorial you are reading, but the main ones largely remain the same.

Grab a jug and fill it with half a gallon of warm water. Add in some dishwater soap and rubbing alcohol and pour the concoction onto the sidewalk ice. The solution will begin to break down the hardness of the ice so that it will be easier to shovel off at a later time.