What means and techniques can be used to remove dangerous and annoying ice from stairs? Below you will find some options and tips for prevention!
Crossing any kind of steps in the garden or front steps of homes can be a real challenge in sub-zero temperatures. If such surfaces are icy or covered with slush, the risk of falls, injuries and property damage increases significantly. For this reason, it is important to respond in a timely manner to maintain safety even in emergency situations during the winter season. Although removing ice may seem like a tedious task, there are proven methods and tools that anyone can use. If you are also dealing with icy stairs, you can consider the following countermeasures and preventative measures.
How to remove existing ice on stairs and protect surfaces from it?
Anti-icing protection in winter is very important to keep any risk of slipping around your home to a minimum. As with other weather influences, prevention is the key factor when it comes to theGarden and stair areasto secure. Additionally, taking some timely and preventive steps can prevent having to remove a thick layer of ice from stairs later. Take the initial steps described below to make your work easier:
- First, use the snow shovel to remove any debris such as sleet, snow or hail to keep your steps permanently ice-free. At first glance, this may seem like unnecessary work if you're planning on staying home anyway. However, in emergency situations, preventive action is very important for safety and prevents complications such as thick layers of ice. However, do this at the right time of day and also use an ice pick to break the ice cover and make shoveling easier.
- The next step is to use de-icing fluid. These are usually chemical compounds that can be used to lower the freezing point of water. This allows you to quickly remove the ice on stairs as it will melt at a lower temperature. However, you should use these correctly to prevent possible damage to surfaces and garden soil. In addition, this approach is suitable for extremely low temperatures, as the usual ingredients in such products penetrate through thick layers of ice.
- Since sodium chloride can have a negative impact on soil conditions, you can also use onehomemade de-icerinsert. To do this, mix around 50 milliliters of rubbing alcohol with two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in a 2 liter bottle and dilute with hot water. Treat steps with it and clean them thoroughly afterwards.
In the fight against ice formation and steps already covered with it, you can also find other effective and more environmentally friendly solutions. Here are some of the most common of them:
What tried and tested methods should you use to prevent ice formation?
When it comes to physically removing ice from steps, it is best done when the ice layer is still thin. As already written above, you should do this work at the warmest time of day so that you can prevent black ice from forming and causing damage. In addition, there are different approaches and tools that help de-ice sidewalks and stairs. These also differ in the amount of maintenance and work required. You can do the following to solve the problem quickly and effectively:
- Using rock salt is considered one of the most effective and affordable solutions when you need to remove ice from stairs. If there is heavy snowfall, you should first shovel out the layer of snow and then sprinkle the rock salt over it. The remedy works quickly, although you can also use table salt and even Epsom salt if necessary. However, this method also has disadvantages, such as the health risks to plants, pets and people, as well as damage to surfaces.
- The use of chemical deicers such as potassium and magnesium chloride, as well as urea and liquid potassium acetate can be equally effective. Typically, these options are considered better alternatives to rock salt, but may have different effects on the environment.
- If you do not have the above materials, you can use means that at least reduce the risk of injury. These are sand or alternatively absorbents such as cat litter, which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly and improves traction on icy surfaces. Although you won't be able to prevent ice from forming, it will make foot traffic safer.
To achieve the best results, in extreme cases you should combine the approaches described so far with de-icing agents. As you can see, these methods have advantages and disadvantages, with options depending on factors such as ice thickness, area size and environmental impact. There are also a few tools you can use to de-ice your stairs.
What alternative and environmentally friendly means can you use to remove ice from stairs?
There are also other options available if you want to opt for something alternative. This prevents the formation of new layers of ice and possible risks of falling.
- A simple, but slightly more expensive, method is to install heated floor mats on the steps. These operate on electricity, are energy efficient and melt layers of snow or ice at a rate of 5 cm per hour. However, it is important to fasten the outside mats well, otherwise they could become a danger themselves.
- For small outdoor stairs, you can also use homemade products such as salt varnish made from pickles, sugar beet juice or even coffee grounds. These home remedies are safe for people, plants and animals and should be cleaned immediately after the ice has melted. Otherwise, there is a risk of renewed ice formation and sticky and unsightly outdoor surfaces.
- Last but not least, another preventative measure is to stick anti-slip mats or similar tape on your steps.
