

5,200,395
We used to use sand and a small amount of salt. But the best solution was to move to SoCal. Not for everyone, and not a simple solution. LOL
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge, CO
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
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Becca Rasmussen
Highlands Ranch, CO
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Margaret Rome Baltimor...
Pikesville, MD
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Les & Sarah Oswald
Eastvale, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
3,417,356
A flame thrower. Well im not sure how well it work, but i always wanted to try it. I did by some "safe" de icer but not sure how safe it is. I painted my steps with sealer this fall, so hoping it will help
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Scott Godzyk
Manchester, NH
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,466,257
Roy Kelley Don't use rock salt. I learned from experience. My driveway is paying for it. The only thing rock salt is good for is making home made ice cream.
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LORI D. SOTO
Knoxville, TN
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
2,558,802
I know Scott Godzyk was kidding but flame throwers are commonly sold here for just that purpose. They are attachments for 5lb or less propane tanks.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
964,069
Roy, if you absolutely have to use a chemical applicant go with a product that is CALCIUM Chloride. It is a lot easier on masonary products, plants, and concrete.
I use a construction light and have the heat melt the ice and dry up the water, and then I move it to the next part of the steps. You have to be at home for this to work and change it every 10-15 minutes but it is much easier on the steps and cheaper than a lawsuit. I also set out some cones to let people know for the moment that they need to be careful.
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
1,112,527
I am so glad to have no clue about this! 3:)
Ask me how to get into a leather car seat in 125 degree weather in shorts and avoid injury. LOL!
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
3,074,716
We moved to Arizona!
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,545,944
I like Scott Godzyk's idea of a flamethrower!
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
3,446,856
I have ZERO experience with this yet I trust Bruce Walter does and would go with his recommendation in a heartbeat.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,472,185
I use a mixture of warm water & rubbing alcohol. https://www.reference.com/science/rubbing-alcohol-melt-ice-f742e8ab6a6611e1
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
936,418
I just use a product called " Barn Grip" that I buy at Southern States. It doesn't melt ice, but it provides anti slip grip. Also great to keep in trunk of car. Just sweeps away after ice melts.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,618,024
The best way is to move to a warmer climate to avoid the cold
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,758,637
No! No! Roy Kelley , not SoCal as Jeff Dowler pointed out to you. Try Sarasota; it was 80F here yesterday and in the 50's in Encinitas, CA per Sandy
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
213,318
Move those stairs to Florida.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,385,075
I have no idea, Roy, as we don't often get ice here in Charlotte... and when there is, I just wait for it to melt.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
773,216
Cat litter.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
3,764,441
Non-clumping kitty litter.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,717,363
When we live in North Carolina, we used hot water to de-ice the steps and the sidewalk.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,613,734
Put in an awning.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
4,273,331
I saw a neighbor use hot salt water on both his steps and the windshield of his car this morning; not me!!!
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
5,344,654
I'd use sand..but what do I know I live in Central Texas!
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,585,039
not rock salt.... but there are melting agents sold at many discount stores that have no rock salt in it...
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,157,847
The sun or other heat and non-freezing weather.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,713,581
That is a good question worth asking. I'm reading.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
3,988,144
Salt is the culprit and will break down mortar and cement. I would use sand.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,361,841
I'm watching for answers. We're one of the frigid zones now too.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,554,814
A combination of salt and sand allows melting while providing a grip!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,546,505
We use salt here but, ice is so rare for us, I'm sure it doesn't damage the mortar. Stay safe in MD, Roy Kelley!
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
4,788,841
And I woke up again this morning and said to myself --- here's something else that's pretty nice about living in Southern California....
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,234,865
That's a good question, and unfortunately one I can't answer.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,281,534
Fire I would have to say, stay away from salt.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
225,576
Years ago we bought outdoor heated mats from Costco and they work great. You can buy them at Home Depot also. Just google "heated outdoor mats" and you'll find them.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
6,763,393
Be careful Roy, don't worry about the mortar, it is more replaceable than a person.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
8,232,673
I wonder how many members have sand in their home to use on icy steps.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
4,322,295
3,986,529
I am thinking of some kind of hear. but, I would cover the steps with a rug when it snows so I would not have that iissue.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,871,457
salt has always aided those who resist ice and snow that's all I know
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
5,774,106
864,758
I guess the consensus is sand? Stay safe and indoor. Enjoy a nice hot cup of tea.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
466,086
I like to keep sand inside and throw it out on the ice. Always the option of getting a heat gun to melt and dry the affected area. When I was growing up there was a neighbor with a heated driveway, I was alwasy pretty envious of their clear drive when I drove by their house.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,820,193
Probably kitty litter...and use the garage in the meantime.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
921,504
Cat Litter......
......providing the roaming cat population is minimal.
When I was upstate NY, water and a broom worked well.
OR
Use the following sign at the first indication of a problem.
Roy Kelley upon further thought, consider the devices used to keep gutters deiced and prevents of ice daming.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,013,938
I always thought it was kosher salt - that'w what we used to use when I lived in Jersey
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
1,513,143
One with a chloride in it; I use a calcium chloride.
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD