Road salt prevents slippery roads and sidewalks from becoming a danger in winter. But what types of grit are there and what are their advantages and disadvantages? We compare road salt, lava grit and Co.
Getting from A to B safely in winter is sometimes not that easy. To prevent accidents, there is an obligation to clear and litter in Germany: Homeowners and renters must ensure that adjacent public sidewalks are free of snow and stay ice. But while the snow can be cleared with pure muscle power, many people quickly resort to road salt, especially when the ground is frozen over. However, this has a disrepute for being extremely harmful to the environment. But is this rumor true and isn't there an environmentally friendly alternative? We'll tell you here which grit is best for private use.
What kind of grit is there?
Road salt is probably the best-known agent that is used in winter to fight snow and ice. But in addition to the well-known road salt, there is also other grit in winter that can help with snow and slippery conditions: so-called Dulling agents do not melt the ice, but provide a better grip and thus less Slipping. Grit, sand and ash are particularly known as grit in winter. But sawdust, lava granulate or fir branches can also be suitable for scattering in winter. In addition, mixtures of salt and various numbing agents are offered that promise quick and permanent slip reduction.
Advantages and disadvantages of road salt and co
Many people are looking for an environmentally friendly grit that is an alternative to road salt, which is considered environmentally harmful. Sand, gravel and the like cannot melt the ice, but they do ensure that the risk of slipping on the sidewalk is reduced and you can make your way home safely. In addition, spreading material without salt is much more environmentally friendly, as it does not seep into the ground and thus do not disturb the soil balance. You will now find out which advantages and disadvantages differentiate between the alternatives in detail.
1. Road salt
Scattering salt is still one of the most popular ways to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in winter. In fact, it's the only method that really melts the ice - is salt on ice scattered, the melting point decreases, which is why it begins to thaw even at temperatures below zero. However, the salt has some disadvantages when it comes to spreading: With the seepage water, the grit gets into the ground and accumulates there and in the groundwater. Many plants, including street trees, cannot tolerate the increased salt content in the soil and water and perish. Spreading salt in winter has a negative impact on the environment. Many animals cannot tolerate road salt either, because it irritates their paws and can lead to inflammation. Road salt can even have negative consequences for cars: components made of aluminum in particular oxidize faster when they come into contact with road salt, and the formation of rust is accelerated. For these reasons, many municipalities have already banned the use of road salt on public roads or made recommendations for other grit.
2. Gravel and grit as grit
Gravel or chippings are already widely used grit for the winter in many municipalities and can be purchased cheaply in many hardware stores. The sharp-edged surface guarantees a secure hold even on icy ground. Both variants are much more environmentally friendly than road salt. If you decide on a regional product without heavy metal pollution, then spreading the sidewalk has almost no negative effect on the soil and groundwater. In addition, gravel and chippings are considered to be particularly sustainable, as the grit can be swept up after the last frost and reused in the next year. However, it is only suitable to a limited extent for pet owners: With their sharp edges, gravel and grit can injure the sensitive paws of the four-legged friend. Many homeowners are also not impressed by the environmentally friendly alternative, because the sharp stones tend to stick to the soles of their shoes and can then scratch the floor in the house.
3. Lava as grit
Lava grit has been gaining popularity recently. No wonder, after all, it has numerous advantages: Similar to gravel and chippings, it reliably ensures slip resistance hardly any negative effects on the environment if it comes from regional mining, and can be swept back together after winter will. In addition, the lava granulate has another special feature: its grains do not have any sharp corners, but are slightly rounded. This not only protects animal paws, but also prevents scratches in the parquet. In addition, porous lava rock absorbs part of the moisture, so that the risk of slipping is reduced. The Eifel lava grit is particularly recommended. This not only scores with its regional breakdown, but does not necessarily have to be removed in spring. In fact, the porous material is similar to Expanded clay a soil-improving effect, which gardeners in particular can take advantage of.
4. Sand as grit
Along with road salt, sand is one of the most frequently used materials for gritting in winter. The grit is particularly attractive to many because of its low price. In addition, you have the option of sweeping up the sand and reusing it after winter. But if that's too much work for you, you can put the leftover grit without a guilty conscience Sweep the joints in the garden path or in the nearest bed, because sand is not good for the health of the soil disturbing. However, fine-grained grit is not quite as slip-resistant in winter as coarse-grained materials and therefore has to be used more often be re-sprinkled - you should therefore always make sure to use particularly coarse-grained sand, for example gravel sand use. Sand also often leads to a higher degree of soiling of shoes and clothing, as mud quickly forms when it is permanently wet.
5. Ash as grit
Due to the lack of alternatives, ash was a popular grit, especially during the war. As a waste product, which often occurs in houses with chimneys, the ashes can be used meaningfully. In addition, it can later be swept into adjacent beds for disposal; because you can Ashes as fertilizer use. However, you have to pay attention to the high pH value of the ash - if used regularly, this can also have a negative effect on adjacent beds and plants. In addition, not all ash is suitable as grit: While pure wood ash contains almost no toxins, it can Coal ash or ashes obtained from burning painted wooden parts can be polluted and so the environment damage. In addition, ash has the disadvantage that, due to its fine grain, it is trodden on quickly and therefore often has to be sprinkled in order to have an anti-slip effect. Many also find it annoying that ashes visibly pollute the sidewalk and shoes.
6. Sawdust and fir branches as grit
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly grit, you will quickly come across sawdust or fir branches. Both have the advantage that they are easily swept up in the thaw and then composted can be. Nevertheless, the use of woodcuts as grit should be treated with caution. Since sawdust in particular like to soak themselves up with water and then no longer have an anti-slip effect, this material is only partially suitable for scattering the snow. With fir branches, you also have to make sure that there are no tripping hazards, for example from protruding branches. In addition, wood chips and fir branches are not recognized as grit by many municipalities - if an accident occurs, the house owner may have to pay for the damage.
The best grit for the winter
Sustainable yet non-slip - this is what the perfect grit for the winter looks like for many. Lava grit scores particularly well in these criteria: Due to its coarse grain size, it provides adequate protection against black ice and is therefore well suited for sprinkling in winter. In addition, it is considered to be particularly environmentally friendly, because it can be reused or incorporated into the surrounding beds as a soil-improving measure. Sand is also suitable as an environmentally friendly road salt alternative, which particularly scores with its low price. However, you should pay attention to a particularly coarse grain size and regular sprinkling in order to obtain sufficient protection against slippery surfaces. Spreading salt in winter, on the other hand, does not prove to be environmentally friendly - as the spreading material creates a high Soil and environmental pollution arises, this type of pavement spreading should only be used in an emergency will.
Tip: Anyone who is already looking for sustainable grit in the hardware store should pay attention to the "Blue Angel". The federal government's independent environmental label identifies particularly environmentally friendly grit.