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Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

We used to use sand and a small amount of salt. But the best solution was to move to SoCal. Not for everyone, and not a simple solution. LOL

Dec 17, 2016 08:15 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

A flame thrower. Well im not sure how well it work, but i always wanted to try it. I did by some "safe" de icer but not sure how safe it is. I painted my steps with sealer this fall, so hoping it will help

Dec 17, 2016 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Roy Kelley Don't use rock salt. I learned from experience. My driveway is paying for it. The only thing rock salt is good for is making home made ice cream.

Dec 17, 2016 08:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I know Scott Godzyk was kidding but flame throwers are commonly sold here for just that purpose. They are attachments for 5lb or less propane tanks.

Propane Torch

Dec 17, 2016 12:49 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Roy, if you absolutely have to use a chemical applicant go with a product that is CALCIUM Chloride.  It is a lot easier on masonary products, plants, and concrete.

I use a construction light and have the heat melt the ice and dry up the water, and then I move it to the next part of the steps.  You have to be at home for this to work and change it every 10-15 minutes but it is much easier on the steps and cheaper than a lawsuit.  I also set out some cones to let people know for the moment that they need to be careful.

 

Dec 17, 2016 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I am so glad to have no clue about this! 3:)
Ask me how to get into a leather car seat in 125 degree weather in shorts and avoid injury. LOL!

Dec 17, 2016 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

We moved to Arizona! 

Dec 18, 2016 03:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Moving to Florida would solve that problem.  

Dec 17, 2016 05:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I like Scott Godzyk's idea of a flamethrower!

Dec 17, 2016 02:19 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have ZERO experience with this yet I trust Bruce Walter does and would go with his recommendation in a heartbeat. 

Dec 17, 2016 12:52 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I use a mixture of warm water & rubbing alcohol.  https://www.reference.com/science/rubbing-alcohol-melt-ice-f742e8ab6a6611e1

Dec 17, 2016 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I just use a product called " Barn Grip" that I buy at Southern States. It doesn't melt ice, but it provides anti slip grip. Also great to keep in trunk of car. Just sweeps away after ice melts.

Dec 17, 2016 07:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

The best way is to move to a warmer climate to avoid the cold

Dec 18, 2016 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

No! No! Roy Kelley , not SoCal as Jeff Dowler pointed out to you. Try Sarasota; it was 80F here yesterday and in the 50's in Encinitas, CA per Sandy

Dec 18, 2016 06:41 AM
Rainer
213,263
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Move those stairs to Florida.

Dec 18, 2016 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have no idea, Roy, as we don't often get ice here in Charlotte... and when there is, I just wait for it to melt.

Dec 18, 2016 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Cat litter.

Dec 17, 2016 08:38 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Non-clumping kitty litter.

Dec 17, 2016 08:15 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

   When we live in North Carolina, we used hot water to de-ice the steps and the sidewalk.

  

Dec 17, 2016 07:16 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Put in an awning.

Dec 17, 2016 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I saw a neighbor use hot salt water on both his steps and the windshield of his car this morning; not me!!!

Dec 17, 2016 01:29 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I'd use sand..but what do I know I live in Central Texas!

Dec 17, 2016 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

not rock salt.... but there are melting agents sold at many discount stores that have no rock salt in it...

Dec 17, 2016 11:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

The sun or other heat and non-freezing weather.

Dec 17, 2016 11:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

That is a good question worth asking. I'm reading.

Dec 17, 2016 08:28 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Salt is the culprit and will break down mortar and cement. I would use sand.

Dec 17, 2016 08:12 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I'm watching for answers.  We're one of the frigid zones now too.

Dec 17, 2016 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

A combination of salt and sand allows melting while providing a grip!

Dec 17, 2016 08:06 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

We use salt here but, ice is so rare for us, I'm sure it doesn't damage the mortar.  Stay safe in MD, Roy Kelley!

Dec 17, 2016 07:27 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

And I woke up again this morning and said to myself --- here's something else that's pretty nice about living in Southern California....

Dec 18, 2016 12:47 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

That's a good question, and unfortunately one I can't answer. 

Dec 18, 2016 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Fire I would have to say, stay away from salt.

 

Dec 18, 2016 10:05 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

Years ago we bought outdoor heated mats from Costco and they work great. You can buy them at Home Depot also. Just google "heated outdoor mats" and you'll find them. 

Dec 18, 2016 06:01 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Be careful Roy, don't worry about the mortar, it is more replaceable than a person.

Dec 17, 2016 07:45 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I wonder how many members have sand in their home to use on icy steps.

Dec 17, 2016 04:17 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Roy Kelley - a spray, perhaps?

Dec 17, 2016 03:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am thinking of some kind of hear.  but, I would cover the steps with a rug when it snows so I would not have that iissue.

Dec 17, 2016 02:18 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

salt has always aided those who resist ice and snow that's all I know

Dec 17, 2016 11:53 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sand

Dec 17, 2016 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

I guess the  consensus is sand? Stay safe and indoor. Enjoy a nice hot cup of tea.

Dec 17, 2016 09:45 AM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

I like to keep sand inside and throw it out on the ice. Always the option of getting a heat gun to melt and dry the affected area. When I was growing up there was a neighbor with a heated driveway, I was alwasy pretty envious of their clear drive when I drove by their house.

Dec 17, 2016 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Probably kitty litter...and use the garage in the meantime.

Dec 17, 2016 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Cat Litter......

......providing the roaming cat population is minimal.

When I was upstate NY, water and a broom worked well.

OR

Use the following sign at the first indication of a problem.

Roy Kelley upon further thought, consider the devices used to keep gutters deiced and prevents of ice daming.

Dec 17, 2016 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I always thought it was kosher salt - that'w what we used to use when I lived in Jersey

Dec 17, 2016 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

One with a chloride in it; I use a calcium chloride.

Dec 17, 2016 07:25 AM