Smart Winter Maintenance: Reducing Salt Use

Shoreline, Septic & Stormwater

Keep walkways safe while protecting your lake from chloride pollution. Use the right material, at the right time, in the right amount.

Why Salt Matters

Chloride accumulates: Once in water, it doesn't break down. Small amounts each winter add up in lakes and groundwater
Aquatic impacts: Elevated chloride harms insects and plants that form the base of the food web
Property & infrastructure: Salt corrodes metal, concrete, and vehicles

Start With Mechanical Removal

Shovel early, shovel often. Clear snow before it's compacted by feet or tires
Use an ice chisel or scraper on packed spots; salt works best on thin ice, not thick sheets

Choose the Right Material (Temperature Guide)

Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride)

Best for: 20–30°F (-7 to -1°C)

Note: Limited effect below about 15°F (-9°C)

Pre-Wetted Salt or Brine

Advantage: Sticks to pavement and works faster

Use: Sparingly for efficiency

Calcium/Magnesium Chloride

Best for: Lower temperatures

Note: Costs more and still adds chloride—use only where needed

Sand or Grit

Best for: Below 15°F when salt won't work

Adds: Traction only—sweep up later

Apply Sparingly (Rules of Thumb)

A little goes a long way. For typical sidewalks/steps, think small sprinkles, not a continuous line
Space the grains. Aim for a few inches between granules; if you can't see pavement between grains, it's too much
Give it time. Let product work, then re-shovel slush. Re-apply only if ice remains

Calibrate Your Spreader (Home Setup)

Test pattern on a tarp: Walk your normal pace; note width and density; adjust openings to avoid stripes and piles
Match to area: Narrow settings for steps/short walks; wider only for large drives
Keep dry. Store material covered; clumps cause over-application

Smart Driveway Strategy

Plow to bare pavement during the storm if possible; you'll use far less material afterward
Treat only problem spots: North-side shade, slopes, and entrances; leave dry, level areas untreated
Use sand below 15°F and on steep grades; sweep up in spring

Contractor Conversations (If You Hire Plowing)

Ask about application rates, pre-wetting, and brine use for efficiency
Request spot-treating instead of blanket salting, and documented calibrations for spreaders
Specify spring sweep-up of sand and residual material

Storage & Cleanup

Cover stockpiles to prevent salty meltwater
Sweep excess from pavement after melting and reuse it—don't wash into ditches
Spring tasks: Sweep remaining sand; repair vegetation and re-seed bare spots

Safety First

Maintain good tread on footwear and use handrails
Mark edges/steps before storms for better shoveling
Keep bags and shovels handy at entrances

Quick Checklist

Shovel early; scrape packed spots
Check temperature → choose salt / brine / sand
Light, even application; wait; re-shovel slush
Target trouble spots only
Sweep and store leftover material for reuse

Bottom Line

Clear snow first, then use the minimum de-icer needed for the temperature. You'll keep people safe—and chloride out of the lake.

Key Takeaways

Shovel first—mechanical removal is best
Match material to temperature
Use sparingly—space grains apart
Treat problem spots only, not entire areas
Use sand below 15°F
Sweep up excess for reuse

Temperature Quick Reference

Above 20°F (-7°C):: Rock salt works well
15–20°F (-9 to -7°C):: Salt still effective but slower
Below 15°F (-9°C):: Use sand for traction; salt won't melt ice

How Much to Use

Visual guide:

You should see pavement between salt grains
About 1 coffee mug per 1,000 sq ft
If it looks like a white blanket, it's too much

Why It Matters

Chloride facts:

Doesn't break down in water
Accumulates year after year
Harms aquatic life at low concentrations
Very expensive to remove from water

Winter Safety Resources

Need more guidance on winter maintenance? Contact your local extension office or conservation district for region-specific recommendations.

Find Resources