We may have nearly 200 days of sunshine annually in Southern Oregon, but we also have our share of freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and snowfall. Winter weather can create beautiful visions in white outside our windows, but unfortunately, it also brings hazardous conditions. Once you’ve invested in your dream outdoor patio or walkway, there are some techniques you should use to safely remove ice from hardscape, so it stays beautiful for years to come.
Chemical De-icers
Store shelves fill with options for chemical de-icers once the weather dips towards freezing. There are liquid and crystalline substances that can be applied either before or after ice forms. These are very popular because they are extremely easy to apply and tend to work quickly. However, they come with many negatives that homeowners should be aware of.
First, they are harmful to pets and wildlife. You can’t rely on the packaging to determine if a product is truly “pet-safe” because manufacturers are under little obligation to provide accurate disclosures. Generally, any substance that will prevent or melt ice will be harmful to some extent if an animal walks on it and then subsequently licks its paws.
Second, these chemicals can stain hardscape or seep into the material and make the bricks and stones brittle over the long term. De-icers chemically lower the freezing point of water to keep it from freezing. Water mixed with the chemicals will seep deeper into the hardscape and expose the structure to this corrosive substance.
Salt
Salt is used around the country to control ice, but it is not common in Oregon. While salt may provide temporary relief, once the water melts, it will mix with the salt and enter the water table, travel to rivers and ponds, and absorb into the soil. It may seem safer because salt is a natural substance. However, it has been removed from its natural environment and is not necessarily safe to be applied in large quantities in your yard.
Shoveling or Scraping
Hardscape materials are generally very durable, hence the name “hard”scape. One of the primary benefits of shoveling or scraping is that it’s safe for the environment and it’s free. You don’t need to run to the hardware store ahead of time to purchase any materials to apply to the surface.
However, the rocks and bricks were not meant to be struck repeatedly with hard, sharp objects. Metal shovels can crack or scrape bricks and rocks. Instead, invest in an inexpensive plastic snow shovel or a rubber-edged shovel to keep the hardscape safe. Never try to chip away at ice because you’ll be chipping away at the walkway or patio, too.
What are other techniques to safely remove ice from hardscape?
- Sand. Simple sandbox-quality sand can be applied over walkways and driveways. A light sprinkle is best. The sand will not melt the ice, but it will give you a bit more traction for walking or driving.
- Shovel and sweep snow promptly. Keep up with snowfall by brushing off snow carefully as it comes down. Ice often forms as the snow melts and then refreezes overnight. A clear walkway will have less water on it if the temperatures drop.
- Choose the safest chemical de-icer for your yard and hardscape material. Some de-icer products are much safer than others thanks to years of product development and consumer demands. Talk to the professionals at Hilton Landscape Supply for recommendations for the best de-icers for your specific hardscape.
Get everything you need for winterizing your hardscape at Hilton Landscape Supply.
Our professional team at Hilton Landscape Supply will help you manage all the challenges of winter weather. We’ve been serving Southern Oregon and Northern California since 1956, so we know what works best for growing healthy plants and vegetation in our regions. Stop by our retail store in Central Point or contact us for more information about all the products we carry to enhance your garden and outdoor living areas.