Homeowners and businesses alike start stressing about the risks of icy steps as soon as winter creeps in. The last thing you want is to see a family member or visitor (or yourself, for that matter) injured walking up your steps. The risks of lawsuits is a whole other issue.
Fortunately, you can learn how to clear icy steps fairly easily. We’ll show you what to put on icy steps for fast-melting, from our powerful de-icing salt here at Jennychem to DIY solutions like sand, kitty litter, and more.
You’ll also learn how to prevent icy steps in the first place with pre-treatments before snow or ice arrives, traction mats/non-slip treads, heated mats, and more. Don’t take any chances this season - enjoy peace of mind keeping yourself and others safe with our help at Jennychem!
Learning how to de-ice steps is not something you can take lightly. Even ice on flat surfaces, like patios, sidewalks, or driveways - poses a problem.
Steps introduce another element, though. The incline and limited space for foot placement means there is even more danger when ice is present. While able bodies are just at risk in normal circumstances, those with limited mobility or carrying heavy items are even more at risk.
Even a brief moment of unsteady footing can result in falls, often causing injuries like sprained wrists, fractured hips, or head trauma. Property owners also need to keep the legal liability in mind. It falls on you to provide safe walkways, especially at your place of business.
Beyond the personal and financial costs, there’s also the inconvenience of dealing with emergency repairs or medical assistance resulting from preventable accidents. While you can learn how to clear icy steps, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
So, let’s share some of our top tips on how to prevent icy steps in the first place below.
We don’t recommend waiting for ice to form to take action. You can be proactive and address icy steps before freezing temperatures roll in. From anti-icing treatments to home improvements, here are some solutions you can consider.
Anti-icing solutions work by lowering the freezing point on treated surfaces, making it harder for ice to form in the first place. These can range from sugar vs salt to liquid de-icers, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride solutions.
The liquid solutions tend to be the most convenient approach as you can spray them directly on the steps before temperatures drop or snow begins falling. This will form a protective barrier that keeps moisture from bonding to the surface.
Salt tends to work best, and we’ll talk more about why it’s our #1 recommendation later on when we discuss what to put on icy steps to melt ice.
One of the best ways to prevent slips and falls on icy steps is using anti-ice mats for steps, or even simple traction treads.
These can be made from rubber or PVC which naturally resist ice formation. They’re easy to install and can be placed temporarily during the winter months for added grip.
Or, you can take a more permanent approach with slip adhesive treads or gritty anti-slip paint applied directly to the surface of each step. This saves you a ton of time and stress every winter season from here on out.
You can take that last piece of advice on how to prevent icy steps even further. Heated mats are a convenient, low-maintenance way to keep steps safe from the risks of freezing temperatures.
They’re placed over your steps and then plugged into an electrical source to generate steady warmth that melts snow and ice on contact. They’re portable, energy-efficient, and eliminate the need for regular salting or anti-icing treatments.
Installing a cover, canopy, or awning over steps is another property improvement tactic that can shield your steps from ice. While it isn’t foolproof, it will at least prevent most snow and rainfall from accumulating on the steps and then freezing over when temperatures plummet.
This solution is great for entrances and outdoor staircases that see frequent use. It can be as straightforward as you’d like, too. Some simply put up a pop-up canopy over the steps during winter and then throw it in storage for the rest of the year.
Let’s say you forgot to prepare your steps in advance, or perhaps your preventative efforts fell short and now you need to figure out how to de-ice steps. Don’t stress - here are some ideas for what to put on icy steps for fast results.
You’re probably familiar with the idea of putting de-icing salt on frozen surfaces, but what happens when you put salt on ice exactly? How does salt melt ice?
It lowers the freezing point of the ice, melting it quickly and reducing the risk of re-freezing. Sodium chloride (rock salt) is effective down to around -7°C, while alternatives like calcium chloride work in even colder temperatures as a better choice for extremely cold conditions.
While you may be tempted to use table salt to melt ice on steps, you need to set your expectations - it won’t get the job done in harsher conditions, and you’d need a ton of it to make a difference.
Professional-grade de-icing salts come in coarser granules than table salt so they stick to surfaces and provide sustained melting power. This keeps steps clear and safe for longer.
You don’t have to look far for high-quality salt for icy steps, either. Jennychem has the best selection in all of the UK, backed by more than three decades of experience in crafting exceptional solutions for homeowners and businesses alike.
All our products conform to BS3247:2011, the British Standard for de-icing salt. Our Brown De-Icing Salt & Grit is known as “road grit” and typically contains 5-8% naturally occurring grit particles (insoluble). It’s a raw, indigenous product mind in the UK and treated for anti-caking.
We also sell a White De-Icing Salt that’s right around 100% pure, so you don’t have to stress about leaving messes behind. For the toughest conditions, try our Rapid Ice Melt - it works up to 30x faster and is safer for pets/the environment!
No matter which salt for icy steps you choose you’re getting an affordable, tried-and-true solution. We even have a salt spreader and salt bin selection to help you streamline application and storage!
Learn more about how to melt ice on concrete and how to use a salt spreader in our blog.
Sand and grit may not melt ice, but they do improve traction on slippery surfaces. You can apply them over icy steps to create a rough layer that prevents slipping even in the presence of ice.
Sand is widely accessible and easy to apply, though it may need to be reapplied after heavy use or further snow. Grit, often mixed with small stones, is another durable option for extra grip and is particularly effective in areas with high foot traffic, as it stays in place well.
Both are a great option if you’re wondering what to put on icy steps in extra freezing temperatures where salt may not make a difference - or in scenarios where you want to take your safety precautions extra seriously.
Maybe you’re wondering what to put on icy steps that you have around the house right now because salt, sand, and grit aren’t readily available. If you’re a cat mom or dad, you can try kitty litter.
Like sand and grit, it won’t melt ice - but it will create a textured layer that reduces slip risks. The granules of kitty litter create traction when sprinkled on icy steps, giving shoes a more stable surface to grip.
Just be aware that kitty litter can become mushy as it absorbs water from melting ice, so cleanup can be a headache once the ice is gone.
Nevertheless, kitty litter is a quick and effective way to make icy steps more manageable for emergency use or in situations where traditional de-icers aren’t available.
While it may look a bit undesirable, there is another option you have in the home - towels. You can simply lay a dry towel, or more likely a few dry towels, across your steps.
After a few moments the towel will have become frozen to the steps, but the surface on top will remain dry and provide better traction than the steps themselves. You’ll probably need to pour some warm water over the towels/steps to remove them when the time comes.
That does it for our guide on how to prevent icy steps and what to put on icy steps if they still become frozen after your initial efforts. As scary as the thought of slips and falls can be, you’re now equipped to safeguard your property and protect all who make their way around it.
Our blog has more resources like how to build a salt spreader DIY, how to make windscreen de icer, salt spreader prices, the best windscreen de icer, how to unfreeze screenwash, and more.
But remember, the best piece of advice in our guide on how to de-ice steps is our salt here at Jennychem. It works faster than other methods and provides longer-lasting prevention against freezing.
So, put the stress of icy steps in the past today. Stock up on professional-grade products from Jennychem for efficient and reliable ice control all winter long!
