Ways to fight the ice and snow this winter

It is that time of year again when the potential exists for icy streets and sidewalks. Ice melting products can help keep us safe while walking and driving. However, these products vary in their ice melting abilities and their safety.

There are many problems that can arise if these products are not used correctly. Careless use of the products can cause damage to pavement, cars, and plants.

Overuse of some products can cause an increase in the freeze-thaw process, which can cause damage to concrete resulting in shorted life of sidewalks and driveways. Damage to cars and aluminum siding can be caused by the deicers that corrode metal. If deicers are not applied properly, damage may be done to plants.

Plants can be affected in two ways; salt spray and salty soils. Some plants have a higher tolerance than others. Salt sprays usually occur with the use of a snow blower or snow plow; the salt damages the plants by pulling water out of the leaves, bark, and bud tissues. As a result, damaged buds may not leaf out or flower next season. When salty soils occur, the water intake can be limited to the plants.

Symptoms of damage from salt include poor or stunted growth next spring, dieback on evergreens, and marginal leaf browning or leaf scorch on deciduous trees and shrubs. Most salt problems can be corrected by applying the equivalent of 1 inch of water, 3 or 4 times in the spring.

Below are the five major ingredients of chemical deicers, each having their own advantages and disadvantages:

* Calcium chloride is the traditional ice-melting product that continues melting ice in temperatures down to about -25 degrees F. It rarely harms plants unless used in excess, but it can create a slippery, slimy surface on concrete and other hard surfaces.

* Rock salt is the original ice melter and the least expensive available now. Because it's sodium chloride, it's effective down to about 12 degrees F. It can, however, damage not only concrete and plants but also soils and metals.

* Potassium chloride is another chloride formulation that can damage plant roots. Plus, it can cause serious plant injury when washed or splashed on foliage.

* Urea (carbonyl diamide) is a well known fertilizer that is sometimes used to melt ice. It's only about one-tenth as corrosive as sodium chloride, but it still can contaminate ground and surface water with nitrates. Urea is only effective to about 21 degrees F.

* Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is the newest of the five; it's made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (the principal compound in vinegar). CMA does not form a brine as the salts do, but rather helps prevent snow particles from sticking to each other or the road surface. It has little effect on plant growth or concrete surfaces; however, its performance decreases below 20 degrees F.

* Limited use of any of the above products should cause little plant damage. Problems happen when they are used in excess and when there is not adequate rainfall to wash or leach the material from the area. Here are a few tips for using deicers:

* Ice melting products are most effective when spread thinly and evenly over the area before the ice forms. Prevention is easier than melting a thick layer of ice.

* Follow the manufactures directions and if possible use less product than recommended.

* To melt thick ice on a very cold day, add a small amount of water to the deicer to help initiate the melting process. To further aid melting and provide sure footing, mix the deicer with wet sand and/or ashes.

* Store in heavy plastic garbage cans to keep it dry. Sand may be stored the same way; if it becomes moist, add a small amount of deicer to prevent freezing or store in a heated area.

With special care, the use of deicer products can insure the safety of ourselves, our friends, and families, and also our plants. Please contact the Extension Office for further information at (620) 223-3720.