If you’ve run out of snow on your driveway, you may be wondering what else you can use to remove snow from surfaces around your home. Many homeowners use Epsom salt – the idea is that since white salt and rock salt work to remove snow from these surfaces, Epsom salt should have a similar effect. But is Epsom salt really as efficient and effective as other methods?
Before investing in Epsom salt for driveway ice, or reaching into your bathroom cupboard for some, we asked a winter maintenance expert how effective this type of salt is at dealing with winter ice.
meet the expert
angelica zaber He is the de-icing and winter maintenance expert at Rock Salt Online, with expertise in the applications and benefits of rock salt, white de-icing salt and brine products.
Are Epsom salts effective for use on icy roads?
When you need to get rid of ice quickly, using rock salt, white salt, or special de-icing salt is a common choice, but some people use Epsom salt to handle ice. Beck And paths,
“Epsom salts, or magnesium sulphate, can be used as a de-icer “For icy driveways, wait until the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Angelica Zaber, de-icing and winter maintenance expert at Rock Salt online. For lower temperatures, ice melt or special liquid brine may be a better option. ,
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How effective are Epsom salts compared to other de-icing methods?
According to Zaber, Epsom salt dissolves faster than other de-icing agents. She says other de-icing salts are made of sodium chloride and this makes them more effective for longer periods because they dissolve more slowly.
“Many people like to use Epsom salt because it is safe for plants and animals, making it a more sustainable option,” she says.
How does Epsom salt work to remove snow from driveways?
According to Zaber, Epsom salts work similarly to rock or white salt in that they lower the freezing point of water. Salt water has to be colder to freeze than fresh water. When you add Epsom salt to water or moisture, the resulting salt water solution has a lower freezing point.
Alternative de-icing solutions you should consider
While Epsom salt can be an effective, eco-friendly de-icing option, it only works when temperatures stay above 20°F, but are there any other alternative de-icing solutions?
Rock salt is regularly used by highway agencies to handle ice and snow on the road, as it has a high level of durability, making it effective for high-traffic locations.
“De-icing salt is an excellent choice for heavy traffic areas,” says Zaber. “It’s more pure than rock salt and leaves no residue, ensuring carpets, tiles and other indoor surfaces stay clean.”
Both of these options are effective at melting ice up to about 15°F.
However, if temperatures drop even lower, there are liquid brine products that are specifically designed to work in cold climates, allowing them to melt ice in temperatures as low as -14.8°F.
“The best and easiest way to keep your walkways and driveways clear of snow is to use a pre-treatment method with your de-icing products,” says Zaber. “Pre-treatment involves spreading salt before temperatures drop and ice forms.”
