How to get a snow shovel and ice melt before the first storm
Before the first storm, buy your snow shovel and ice melt: a wide pusher, a lighter lifting shovel, a bag of ice melt and some sand or cat litter. Check the chemical on the bag. Concrete groups say not to use any deicer on concrete under a year old, and to avoid ammonium products on any concrete.
Which snow shovel and ice melt to buy
Size the shovels to the job. A wide pusher moves snow along a driveway without much lifting. A smaller lifting shovel handles steps and the pile the plow leaves at the end of the drive.
Ice melt takes more thought, because the front of the bag can mislead you. The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association warns that many bags say "safe" in big letters and list conditions in the fine print on the back. Turn the bag over and read the chemical name.
| Chemical on the label | On good, mature concrete |
|---|---|
| Sodium chloride (rock salt) | Generally acceptable |
| Calcium chloride | Generally acceptable |
| Magnesium chloride, potassium chloride | Shown to cause much faster deterioration |
| Calcium magnesium acetate, urea | Shown to cause much faster deterioration |
| Ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate | Never use |
These ratings come from one trade group. Other sources rank the chlorides differently, so always follow the bag and your concrete contractor's advice.
For concrete poured in the last year, skip ice melt altogether. The trade group says deicers shouldn't go on concrete less than a year old. The City of Pendleton, Oregon goes further, treating concrete under five years old as new and telling residents to use cat litter or sand. If you just bought a new build, ask the builder when the driveway was poured and whether the warranty mentions deicers.
Pet-friendly labels vary too. Read the ingredients, and wipe your dog's paws after walks on treated ground.
Where to keep your snow shovel and ice melt
Keep ice melt dry and within reach. Water turns it into a solid lump, so a lidded bucket by the door you use most beats a torn bag in the far corner of the garage.
- Lifting shovel: inside the house or an attached garage.
- Pusher: in the garage near the overhead door.
- Bucket of ice melt with a scoop: by the main entry, away from kids and pets.
- Sand or cat litter: near the steps. It adds grip but melts nothing, so it also works in deep cold.
Use ice melt only on the walking paths you need, and shovel first. Thin layers of melt on top of packed snow waste product and leave more residue on the concrete.
How to get your snow shovel and ice melt ready
- Measure the paths
Pace off the driveway, front walk and steps so you know which shovels fit and how much ice melt to buy.
- Find out your concrete's age
Check the closing papers, ask the builder or ask the seller. Anything under a year old gets sand or cat litter only.
- Read the bag
Find the chemical in the small print and compare it to the table on this page.
- Pour it into a bucket
Pour the ice melt into a lidded bucket with a scoop so it stays dry and easy to spread.
- Look up your sidewalk rule
Search your city or town code for snow removal, and note how long you have after a storm.
- Put everything in place
Put each tool where you'll need it before the forecast turns, then check handles and blades for cracks.
What a snow shovel and the rest of the gear cost
| Item | Cost | What decides the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pusher shovel | Varies | Width, handle and blade material |
| Lifting shovel | Varies | Handle design and weight |
| Ice melt | Varies | Chemical and bag size |
| Sand or cat litter | Varies | Bag size |
| Concrete sealer, if your contractor suggests one | Varies | Silane or siloxane penetrating sealers give the most deicer protection, per the trade group |
Prices move fast once a storm is in the forecast, so compare them in the fall.
Ice melt on new concrete and other mistakes
- Using any deicer on a first-winter slab. Scaling, the surface flaking that owners find in spring, can start there and it doesn't heal.
- Trusting "safe" on the front of the bag.
- Using far more than you need. Use deicers in moderation even on older concrete.
- Overdoing the shoveling. Ready.gov lists heart attacks from overexertion among winter storm risks. If you have a heart condition or don't exercise, talk to your doctor first and consider hiring it out.
- Assuming the sidewalk isn't your job. Many cities make the owner clear it, and deadlines and fines differ. Check your city code or 311 line.
What homeowners say about the best snow shovel
Buy shovels and any snow blower in the fall, not after the first storm; it's in the top answer of one thread. In heavy-snow areas, keep a second shovel inside the house in case drifts block the door. One owner suggests shoveling the first winter and buying a snow blower on spring clearance. (Reddit)
Owners say to have two shovels, one of them ergonomic. Handles snap in heavy snow, and one owner had to finish the driveway with a small car shovel. (Reddit)
Ice melt for concrete questions
Can I use ice melt on new concrete?
The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association says deicers shouldn't be used on concrete less than a year old. Some cities are stricter, so use sand or cat litter and check with your contractor.
Is rock salt or calcium chloride better for a concrete driveway?
Sources disagree. One concrete trade group rates both as generally acceptable on dense, good-quality concrete, while Pendleton, Oregon tells owners of newer concrete to avoid both, so read the label and use either one sparingly.
What can I use on ice instead of salt?
Sand or cat litter gives traction without chemicals. Neither melts ice, so shovel first and spread it over what's left.
What you’ll need
Sources: pacaweb.org, pendletonor.gov, Ready.gov
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.