Ice can be a very dangerous side-effect of winter weather, so how exactly do you cope with it? You listen to the building supplies experts at Western Hills Builders Supply, who provide the highest quality sand and gravel for every construction project, as well as pavers, fire pit masonry and a host of other landscaping solutions. 

These professionals recommend a couple of points to keep in mind when planning your de-icing purchase:

• Rock salt (sodium chloride): Luckily, salt and ice can’t coexist; still, this compound can also harm landscaping, pets and masonry if you’re not careful. Salt is a low-priced commodity, which means you can immediately detect how much salt a de-icing product contains based on price. Rock salt is limited in that it will only be effective up to -15F. To really get the most out of rock salt, apply it before an expected storm, then shovel and scrape your areas afterwards, and reapply. A lot of people even add sand to their salt for traction purposes— but be forewarned, sand doesn’t melt ice.
• Calcium chloride: This product is friendlier to landscaping than salt, and is effective down to -25F. Coming in flake, pellet and liquid forms, it does cost more than salt, and can be hard on some surfaces, but altogether it’s a tried and true method of ice removal. It does draw moisture from the air, so a gooey mess can result if you don’t shovel, and it is also highly corrosive to metal. 
• Calcium magnesium acetate: Say hello to the environmentally-friendly option that is not corrosive to landscaping and cement. But, with all these benefits, it does come with a heftier price. Available in dry and liquid forms, this miracle worker is the only product safe for using in commercial parking lots and airports, since it cannot corrode aircraft mechanisms. It can, however, dilute and refreeze if not used correctly, so read the instructions carefully if it's your final choice. 

No matter which product you end up choosing, employ some sturdy shoveling right after the snow dies down, otherwise foot traffic will turn that snow into ice. For more information on their salt, sand, and building and roofing supplies, call Western Hills Builders Supply at (513) 574-6200 or visit them online for more information.