Ice Management and De-Icing
Black ice — a thin, nearly transparent layer of ice that forms on pavement — is one of the most dangerous winter hazards for Ontario homeowners and property managers. Unlike packed snow, black ice is often invisible until someone slips on it.
Black ice forms when temperatures hover near 0°C and moisture (rain, freezing fog, or melting snow that refreezes) freezes rapidly on cold surfaces. It's most common in the early morning hours and in shaded areas that don't receive direct sunlight.
Best Practices for Ontario Winters
Highest risk locations on your property: north-facing driveways and walkways that stay shaded all day, areas near eavestroughs where meltwater drips and refreezes, shaded steps and landing areas, and the base of inclines where water accumulates.
Prevention strategy: pre-treat high-risk areas with ice melt before anticipated freezing rain or temperature drops. Application before the freeze is far more effective than trying to break up ice after it forms. Use a spreader for even, efficient application.
Professional Snow and Ice Control
Choose the right ice melt product. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is inexpensive but damages concrete and is harmful to pets and plants. Calcium chloride works at lower temperatures (-25°C) and is gentler on concrete. Potassium chloride is pet-safer but less effective below -10°C.
Sand provides traction without melting ice — useful for heavy ice situations where melt product has already been applied. Keep a bag of sand or traction grit accessible near high-risk areas.
After a thaw-freeze cycle, inspect your entire property for new ice patches. Temperature swings of 5-10°C during Ontario winters create repeated ice formation. Don't assume that because it was clear yesterday, it's clear today.
D&D Snow Services includes ice management with all residential and commercial snow removal contracts — we monitor conditions and treat surfaces proactively, not just reactively.
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