hTTi

We are required to keep the pavement in front of the house clear of snow etc. (Ours is 40m long.) But how the hell do you deal with black ice? I have Streusalz which is frowned upon environmentally, but the ice thaws a bit then refreezes later. Or drizzle arrives and flash freezes as the temperature falls again.
There are no stocks of grit for public access, at least in our village. Am I supposed to drive a c.50km trip on icy roads to buy stuff? I suspect yes Just making it to the front gate is an exercise in survival ...

Feierabend wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 12:50 pm We are required to keep the pavement in front of the house clear of snow etc. (Ours is 40m long.) But how the hell do you deal with black ice? I have Streusalz which is frowned upon environmentally, but the ice thaws a bit then refreezes later. Or drizzle arrives and flash freezes as the temperature falls again.
There are no stocks of grit for public access, at least in our village. Am I supposed to drive a c.50km trip on icy roads to buy stuff? I suspect yes Just making it to the front gate is an exercise in survival ...

Have you tried cat litter?
The inorganic kind. Always have some in your car, too.

Cat litter, interesting! Isn't that a bit expenive for a large area?
Think I've found a delivery company, hopefully a small sack will turn up tomorrow. Am trying to avoid driving in these conditions. Got spooked a couple of years ago when someone slid into my car on a bad local bend in light snow.

Edit sp.

You can also use sawdust, although it's not brilliant and extremely messy.

Essentially yes, they expect you to be ready with stocks of whatever is the acceptable form of grit - I suppose we should all get a couple of sacks when we get our tyres changed in the Autumn.

Sometimes I've had a better experience when I've spread stuff before the weather event hits, and then the snow/ice doesn't get a chance to stick, but obviously that depends on many factors. Black ice, I think that would count as the extreme case where Streusalz is still allowed, and I'd proper chuck it down if my pavement had any foot traffic at all.

We're on a hill which is a school route, so we've always got to be really on the ball, but this year so far we've not had that cycle of doom with thaw and refreeze which you've described.

My neighbour uses a weed burner - maybe a thought?

Feierabend wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 2:28 pm Cat litter, interesting! Isn't that a bit expenive for a large area?
Think I've found a delivery company, hopefully a small sack will turn up tomorrow. Am trying to avoid driving in these conditions. Got spooked a couple of years ago when someone slid into my car on a bad local bend in light snow.

Edit sp.

You don't need much. A couple handfuls should suffice. And not the expensive stuff, either.

Sannerl wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 3:31 pm

Feierabend wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 2:28 pm Cat litter, interesting! Isn't that a bit expenive for a large area?
Think I've found a delivery company, hopefully a small sack will turn up tomorrow. Am trying to avoid driving in these conditions. Got spooked a couple of years ago when someone slid into my car on a bad local bend in light snow.

Edit sp.

You don't need much. A couple handfuls should suffice. And not the expensive stuff, either.

Don't get the stuff that clumps. That will turn into goo.

Feierabend wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 12:50 pm There are no stocks of grit for public access, at least in our village. Am I supposed to drive a c.50km trip on icy roads to buy stuff? I suspect yes Just making it to the front gate is an exercise in survival ...

The next time you see a snow plow driving around, ask the driver where to get grit and salt from the local Gemeinde; they're usually very helpful when people want to do their duties... They usually have a small depot in every village/area...

The Streusplitt was delivered today, ordered it only yesterday evening. Instantly made a huge difference to the footpath and drive.
Feel happier about driving today, deliverer said the Landstrasse is fine which was my biggest worry.