When is it better to spray rock salt on a driveway, before or after the snow fell?

Answer 1

Applying salt before the precip is of little help. Chances are it will get blown or washed away before it accomplishes what you want it to accomplish. Salt is very hard on the driveway surface, plant life ( it is, after all, used to kill unwanted growth ) and pets' paws. I would suggest a scattering of clay based kitty litter if you need traction.

Answer 2

I like a nice coat of salt dust on the driveway then any light snow or ice will melt with little work

Answer 3

I like to put a decent layer down if we are supposed to get an inch or so. It will usually keep the driveway clear. If we are going to get 6" then it doesn't pay to put any salt down. The best icemelt is potassium chloride based. It doesn't eat the driveway or kill the grass or other plants. The best product I have used is SafeStep Ice melt.

Answer 4

No rock salt!!! It destroys concrete, kills plants and makes a mess in the house. Get the stuff safe for plants.

Answer 5

rock salt has little effect on snow...shovel first and then if ice is a problem scatter some salt...i'd be worried more about sliding thru my garage door than my plants

Answer 6

this is an educated guess but it seems to be better to have a thin layer on there before the snow falls to keep it from forming an icy layer

Answer 7

they salt roads after it starts snowing...so i would say do it after it snows. or while it is snowing. it melts ice, so i say it makes sense to put it on afterwards.

Answer 8

after so you don't ruin the texture of your driveway, and also that will prevent the rocksalt from going into your grass or flower beds and killing plants.