Although it may seem a little premature to talk about ice melt products, I noticed an advertisement advertising bulk pricing for it on the front page of the October flyer from a supplier that is familiar to all of us. Since all of our sites receive this flyer, I decided it’s an appropriate time to remind everyone of our policies regarding ice melt products.
All Cambridge properties should not use ice melt products whatsoever. These products, while effective in melting ice away from sidewalks and stairways are destructive to the surfaces in which they’re applied over a period of time. If you ever notice a sidewalk with a surface that looks pitted and crumbling, there’s a good chance that the damage was caused by ice melt products. Not only is ice melt damaging to exterior surfaces, it can also damage carpets if tracked inside.
Many manufacturers will make claims that their product will not damage walkways or stairways, but when we’ve pressed them for a written guarantee, we have not yet found anyone willing to do so.
Our belief is that spreading sand and/or pea gravel on walkways and stairways is the best method to help prevent slips in icy or snowy conditions while still protecting the property from permanent damage. Sand and pea gravel can be purchased from Home Depot, or if larger quantities are desired, contact your landscaper, and have them deliver some. If there an inconspicuous place to store the sand or gravel, it’s always a good idea to store it in more than one area on the property, so it can be distributed without having to transport it over longer distances.
If you have any old bags of ice melt tucked away in storage, please contact me at the information below to discuss ways to properly dispose of the product.
Thank you,
Scott Busch
Direct: 503.919.1670
Email: sbusch@cresapts.com