Salt

If your driveway is gravel or dirt, applying salt is even more harmful for the environment and can cause dangerous conditions for driving. Instead, try salt alternatives like gravel, sand or cat litter to increase traction.

Salt Before The Snow

So, you’ve just checked the forecast to see if it’s the right temperature to apply salt and saw a big storm rolling in. What can you do? If you salt before the storm, it provides a buffer between your driveway and the snow, which makes shoveling easier and driving safer.

Bonus points if you dissolve the salt in water first and spray the mixture on your driveway.

“Using a 23 percent salt-water solution acts like butter in a frying pan,” Stepenuck said. “This reduces the ability of snow and ice to bond with the surface. Using a salt-water mixture can reduce total salt use and make it easier to plow or shovel after the storm. Plus, since any dry salt you spread must combine with water to minimize ice formation, the mixture can work its magic more quickly than if you spread dry salt.”

SHOVEL, THEN SALT

If you apply salt to your driveway when it already has a layer of snow on it, the salt will need to seep through the layer of snow before it can start working, meaning you would need more salt to keep the driveway free from snow and ice. Instead, shovel first and apply the salt as close to the pavement as you can.

installation events in Vermont in 2022 and plans more for this year.

As we’ve outlined, saving money by reducing your energy use can start by installing free products or carrying out small DIY projects and applying for a rebate. In future articles, we’ll address conducting a large-scale weatherization upgrade to your home and the latest information on “community solar for all” programs.

The Williston Energy Committee is continuing to work with weatherization professionals to bring more information to you. Look for more DIY tips in future columns. Let’s all be cheap together by reducing our energy use and saving money!

To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@ willistonvt.org or attend one of their public meetings, held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website.

Use The Right Amount

Salt is often spread on driveways and sidewalks without much rhyme or reason, but the amount of salt you use matters. A good rule of thumb is to spread no more than a cup or a cup and a half of rock salt for every 10 sidewalk squares or every two parking spaces. There should be about 3 inches between each of the salt grains.

Using more than that doesn’t make it more effective, it just allows more salt to runoff into the environment, to be tracked into the house or to damage doors, steps or other structures. And it wastes money.

If you used too much salt and see it on your driveway or walkways after the snow is gone, sweep it up. You can save it and use it for the next storm. Otherwise, this excess salt will slowly infiltrate into the soil around it or run off your driveway, ultimately polluting a nearby waterway.

Tell Your Neighbors

The best way to increase your impact is to get other people on board. Share these tips with your friends and neighbors so that we can all have a safe and sustainable winter. Happy shoveling!

For more information, email seagrant@ uvm.edu.

Anna Marchessault is a program assistant for the Lake Champlain Sea Grant. Visit www.uvm.edu/seagrant/ home for more information.