This is why you should not use road salt when shoveling snow

As soon as winter falls over us with snow and ice, we have to shovel and spread properly again.

However, road salt is not a great option.

Road salt is still one of the most popular means of removing snow and ice from sidewalks.

In fact, it's the only method that really lets the ice thaw.

Salt lowers the melting point so that snow and ice melt away even below 0 degrees.

What many do not consider is that road salt has many disadvantages.

Winter service: This is why you should avoid using road salt when shoveling snow

Road salt gets into the soil with the seepage water and accumulates in the groundwater.

The

increased salt content in the soil

is not good for trees * and plants, as

important nutrients are washed

out and further absorption is made more difficult.

This means that plants can no longer be sufficiently supplied and slowly die.

The road salt is also not good for your car: on contact, rust formation accelerates, and aluminum components oxidize more quickly.

Even pets can be endangered by road salt, as the grains can

cause inflammation

in their paws.

Structures and concrete are also attacked by the salt.

The repair or containment of the damage incurs

high costs every year

.

For this reason, many municipalities have already banned the use of road salt on public roads and

fined them

.

Also interesting

: Snow on the roof: this is something homeowners should definitely pay attention to.

Alternatives to road salt: How to fight snow and ice

Instead of road salt, the Federal Environment Agency recommends so-called

numbing agents

.

These don't melt the snow, but they reduce the risk of slipping.

These include

chippings, granules or sand

.

You can also sweep up grit after use and use it again later.

The Federal Environment Agency advises

paying attention

to the

Blue Angel

for salt-free grit

when shopping

.

Grit, such as expanded clay, which is produced in a very energy-intensive manner, should only be used sparingly.

The Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) recommends, however, to be very sparing with the deadening grit, as these can contain toxic substances such as

arsenic, lead or mercury

.

In order to generally avoid the use of grit, you should clear the sidewalks with a shovel or a broom in good time.

In this way you prevent heavy icing from forming in the first place due to trodden snow.

In general, the statutory eviction requirement stipulates that the sidewalks must be cleared by 7 a.m. on weekdays.

(fk) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editorial network.

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