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Saving on Snow Removal

By Nadine Cheung Posted 10:00AM 02/07/12 Savings Experiment, Home & Garden |
Savings Experiment: Snow Removal
How do you mainly deal with snow on your sidewalk/driveway?
Snow blower17199 (42.0%)
Shoveling17831 (43.6%)
Rock Salt1530 (3.7%)
Liquid snow shovel753 (1.8%)
Other3618 (8.8%)
Did you find our video on snow removal helpful?
Yes, it's a great idea956 (46.1%)
Yes, useful and entertaining392 (18.9%)
Not sure, didn't watch350 (16.9%)
No376 (18.1%)

Snow is beautiful to look at, but not fun to keep off your driveway. Thankfully, his winter hasn't been too harsh, but you never know what's lurking around the corner when it comes to Mother Nature. In the event of major snowflake accumulation, what will help you do the trick for the least amount of money and effort?

Generally, a good shovel and a bag of rock salt will put you in a good place for snow preparation, but there's something else that can help, too. It's called Liquid Snow Shovel, a formula that you can easily apply to your sidewalks and driveway with an inexpensive pump sprayer. The liquid product will help keep your surfaces ice-free down to 25 degrees below zero.

How do the savings match up? Well, rock salt goes for about $20 per 25-pound bag. This will cover 500 square feet of asphalt. Meanwhile, that same $20 will buy you one gallon of Liquid Snow Shovel, which covers 1,000 square feet of asphalt. So, you'll be able to treat more ground for the same amount of money.

Snow-removalThat's not the only benefit of this product. While shoveling removes snow, it also removes rock salt. Liquid Snow Shovel seeps into your driveway and actually helps you use less the next time you apply. Also, unlike rock salt, this special liquid formula won't corrode your driveway, and is both pet- and plant-friendly.

So, before the next snowfall, stock up on Liquid Snow Shovel instead of rock salt. It will melt the ice for the best price.
Tagged: cheap snow removal, CheapSnowRemoval, cleaning, for the home, Liquid Snow Shovel, LiquidSnowShovel, rock salt, RockSalt, saving on snow removal, SavingOnSnowRemoval, Savings Experiment,

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rmpblue

Isn't it kind of ironic that one of the least 'consumer-friendly' institutions in America is named as a sponsor of the above video at it's start..? News flash B of A...It's not enough for you to 'sponsor' someone else's ad when you continue to 'rape' the bulk of America's pockets for all you possibly can... *smile*

*Shoveling works best for health in moderation and is by far the most economical...If a water hose is available then a solution of salt and water is also very good and cheaper by far than liquid shovel or any other commercial brand/product...Of course that applies to areas where the salt will not be coating plants, grass, or similar...As for a driveway of asphalt or /concrete/cement proper maintenance will greatly remove or lessen any potential added wear or erosion the same as proper maintenance does the same for one's vehicle underbody... *smile*

January 26 2013 at 12:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vtmilitia

Rock salt doesn't cut it when you have 12" or more of snow.

January 25 2013 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joyee2

where do you get the Loquid Snow Shovel?

January 25 2013 at 3:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pumbu

Salt also dissentegrates your concrete sidewalk or driveway if they are less than a couple of years old.

January 25 2013 at 1:06 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Cindy

I am going to Hawaii on Monday. So for now, none of this will get me down.
Aloha!

January 25 2013 at 11:12 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
c.mertz

After 15 years in Minnesota, I discovered that the best way to beat the entire snow removal issue was to move to Tennessee.

January 25 2013 at 10:02 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
rcyrilj

As many below have noted - the quoted price for rock salt is totally bogus. You can get a 40 pound bag of industrial grade rock salt for around $4.00. Just don't fall for the fancy bags that call it snow melter.

As far as the claims for Liquid Snow Shovel being environmentally friendly and not damaging your drive way -- the product is a mix of calcium chloride, which is somewhat less corrosive than rock salt (sodium chloride) and magnesium. The magnesium component has to be some compound of magnesium since magnesium itself is a solid metal. It is probably magnesium chloride (commonly referred to as mag chloride in the snow and ice control industry). It is a great ice melter but it is also one of the most corrosive materials used for snow and ice control and can cause sever vehicle rusting and electrical system problems. I for one would never put any magnesium compound on my driveway.

January 25 2013 at 9:42 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
brennemanbelkin

Anyone paying twenty five bucks for a twenty pound bag of rock salt is some kind of fool.

January 25 2013 at 8:58 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
bdgrizcp

I used to live up north and part of my gig at work (Chief Engineer of a suburban PA hotel) was snow removal for a parking lot that had 660 parking spaces. After the Valentine's weekend blizzard of 1983 I resolved to fix my snow removal problem. I got myself transfered to south Florida.
No snow removal problem.

January 25 2013 at 4:24 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
jet7401

where in the hell is the snow?? you are spraying dry, snow free pavement!!! Rock salt can be purchased for $7-8 / 40lb bag - it's called water softener.. Hey, I have some swamp land in Arizona - want some?? Talk about snake oil.....

January 25 2013 at 3:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jet7401's comment
sadiemae1214

You don't need snow to have an icy driveway. Right now, my front steps, walkway and driveway are coated in ice and we haven't had even one snowflake. I don't think this spray claimed to melt snow, only ice. Just remember...NO SNOW DOESN'T MEAN NO ICE! Back to school with you.

January 25 2013 at 11:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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