The only thing worse than face-planting on an icy walkway is having your fall caught on camera and ending up on an episode of America’s Funniest Home Videos. To prevent slippery paths and driveways, many people turn to salt or other chemical melting agents. While effective, these methods are often wasteful and can damage adjacent…
A Dandy, Sandy Solution
Sand is a highly effective tool when it comes to creating traction on icy walkways. And the best part is that you don’t need to remove every trace of ice to make a pathway safe. A much simpler approach is to focus on adding traction. This can be accomplished by shoveling away the top layer of snow and sprinkling sand over the remaining ice. The grittiness ensures your boots stay firmly on the ground rather than slipping out from under you.
Why Sand Beats Salt
There are several reasons to use sand over salt and other chemical deicers. First, while chemicals are corrosive, sand is much gentler and won’t harm nearby vegetation. It’s also safe for outdoor surfaces — such as concrete, stone, brick, metal, and wood — that are otherwise susceptible to chemical damage. Additionally, while salt washes away, sand is reusable. When the snow melts, the sand remains, allowing you to sweep it up and save it for the next snowfall.
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Instead of spending $25 or more on a single-use bag of deicing salt, you can pick up a 7-pound bag of sand for less than $7. Given that sand can be used over and over, it’s not only the greener choice but also the more affordable one.
