'Out of Sidewalk Salt ? Uh Oh....Here's Some Alternatives !

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Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker
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Winter in Wisconsin is later than usual..there has been a shortage of "sidewalk salt." People are traveling counties away on snowy roads to secure the ice melt to keep ice melttheir sidewalks and driveways safe.  No matter how well you drive in the winter or the boots you have that "grip"....ice is a hazard that needs attention in many areas.

   There are other substitutions for ice melting products if none are available in your area. They inclKitty litterude:

1) Sand - you may well find this at hardware stores and Building supply stores.

2) Kitty Litter has the "true grit" needed to get traction on the walks and driveways.

3) Vinegar - Who knew ? Having lived in Wisconsin all our lives this one is news to us...Vinegar has a high content of citric acid...it may take a few applications but it works !

Calcium Chloride4)Calcium Chloride this is a "kinder/gentler" environmentally friendlier alternative  that actually works better in the 32 to 0 degree temps we have often at this time of year.

5)Coffee Grounds - This is when all else fails and the shipment of Kitty Litter has not come from Chewy.com and all else has failed.

    Real estate is alive and well...and very busy in southeastern Wisconsin...we don't let a little snow slow us down...but wanted to be sure that the snow and ice did not slow anyone else down...as in fall down.

    This has been a public service post to anyone living anywhere that ice and snow are the forecast of the day by Sally K. &  David L. Hanson,Broker Associates with EXP Realty, honored to be service for all things real estate in southeastern Wisconsin.

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Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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Re-Blogged 1 time:

Re-Blogged By Re-Blogged At
  1. Kathy Streib 02/11/2019 08:12 PM
Topic:
Real Estate General Information
Tags:
ice melt
snow melt alternatives

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Ambassador
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Kathy Streib
Room Service Home Staging - Delray Beach, FL
Home Stager - Palm Beach County,FL -561-914-6224

Sally and David- all I can say is that I'm glad I don't have to think about salting my sidewalks!!!!!  

Feb 11, 2019 08:08 PM #1
Rainmaker
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Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Sally and David  - I think the substitutes for salt are good.  I don't like salt on many outdoor surfaces.

Feb 11, 2019 08:11 PM #2
Rainer
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Dörte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Sally & David,

Good ideas. Salt has such a narrow temperature bandwidth that it almost never works for its intended purpose, only to kill your grass and other plants.

Feb 11, 2019 09:36 PM #3
Rainmaker
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James Dray
Fathom Realty AR LLC - Bentonville, AR
Exceptional Agents, Outstanding Results

Morning Sally,

Like you I never knew that vinegar worked.  I once put salt on a sidewalk for my mother-in-law.  It completely destroyed the sidewalk, thankfully it was at an apartment complex and no-one questioned what happened. 

Feb 12, 2019 02:02 AM #4
Rainmaker
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Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Anything providing skid resistance works.  I have used cheap playlot sand for years.  It doesn't damage the concrete or plants.

Feb 12, 2019 02:42 AM #5
Rainmaker
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Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

. Thank you for the post. I will share it with others. I hope I will not need any substitutes this winter.

Feb 12, 2019 02:42 AM #6
Rainmaker
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Kat Palmiotti
Grand Lux Realty, Monroe NY, 914-419-0270, kat@thehousekat.com - Monroe, NY
The House Kat

We're supposed to be getting a combination of snow (3-7") and ice all day today. It'll be a good day for trying out these tips1

Feb 12, 2019 03:00 AM #7
Rainmaker
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Nina Hollander
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Charlotte, NC
Your Charlotte/Ballantyne/Waxhaw/Fort Mill Realtor

Hi Sally... well, who knew? I sure didn't... then again, I'm very happy I don't need to know much about this... I just wait for that snow to melt when we get it!  I'll keep the vinegar trick in mind just in case though.

Feb 12, 2019 03:56 AM #8
Rainmaker
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Sally and David - my memory of living in colder weather conditions did not require such knowledge but these tips would be quite useful for many. Good list.  Timely too. Stay warm as possible. Be safe.

Feb 12, 2019 05:18 AM #9
Rainmaker
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Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Realtors - Luxury - Divorce

This is a year in our area where we having snowfalls of more than 3" ...and forecasted in the next week for frequently.  Last night 6-8"....snow melt kind of materials are in short supply .

Feb 12, 2019 05:44 AM #10
Rainmaker
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Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I feel so lucky that I have never had to deal with such things, I don't like cold weather at all.

Feb 12, 2019 05:51 AM #11
Rainmaker
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Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Coffee grounds, that is a new one one me Sally and David.  I know coffee ground are great to find worms for fishing.

 

Feb 12, 2019 05:55 AM #12
Rainmaker
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Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I hope I never need any of the solutions for ice you've mentioned.  But, if I do, I know who to call for advice.

Feb 12, 2019 06:12 AM #13
Rainmaker
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Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your tips. We have freezing rain in Maryland this afternoon. 

I always worry about what is best to us one our brick porch and steps without damaging the mortar.

Feb 12, 2019 10:28 AM #14
Ambassador
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George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Sally and David besides sand I would have never have thought of your other suggestions.

Feb 12, 2019 05:03 PM #15
Rainmaker
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John Wiley
Right Move Real Estate Group- EXP Realty - Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL Real Estate GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Growing up in Indiana, I could have used your suggestions.

Now that I live in Florida, there is never a lack of sand. Wait. I don't have to deal with ice.

Great and timely suggestions for those who are dealing with some tough winter weather.

Feb 13, 2019 07:48 AM #16
Rainmaker
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Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Timely post and good suggestions!  We have a shortage of salt here due to so much snow and ice the past few weeks...and more expected tomorrow!

Feb 14, 2019 04:10 PM #17
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Sally K. & David L. Hanson

WI Realtors - Luxury - Divorce
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