Ice Build Up

[AstaLaVista]

After months of waiting excitedly for the snow I have noticed that it also brings the dreaded ice.  I have ice every where around the hot tub.... what started as a shoveled out area with a little bit of snow left has turned into an ice arena due to getting in and out of the tub.  Even my wooden steps now have some ice on them.  

The question is.. how have you guys dealt with it? Can you use salt to melt the ice...or does that end up getting tracked into the hot tub? I would hate to mess up my water chemistry by tracking something in. However, I don't want anyone breaking their neck in the back yard!

[Renee]

We bought some of that outdoor runner carpet at Home Depot, and it goes from the door to the steps.  (It's on a roll, and they cut it to your specific length)  Then we cut some to fit the steps so we don't fall.  Works great so far, and we've had to deal with snow AND ice recently.

[Brewman]

It's possible that the ice melter chemical could get carried into your spa, but it would probably be just trace amounts.  I'd be more concerned about the affect of salt on the wooden surfaces over time.  but having a slippery icy approach to your spa is potentially dangerous.

[AstaLaVista]

We bought some of that outdoor runner carpet at Home Depot, and it goes from the door to the steps.  (It's on a roll, and they cut it to your specific length)  Then we cut some to fit the steps so we don't fall.  Works great so far, and we've had to deal with snow AND ice recently.

That sounds like a pretty good idea.. what do you do roll it up when there is a storm coming?

[AstaLaVista]

It's possible that the ice melter chemical could get carried into your spa, but it would probably be just trace amounts.  I'd be more concerned about the affect of salt on the wooden surfaces over time.  but having a slippery icy approach to your spa is potentially dangerous.

Yes, I would be concerned about the affect of salt on my wooden stairs over time... however I am more concerned about the affects of my a$$ hitting the conrete!  

[Tonyf]

Our steps are grooved plastic steps that came with the tub and the ice sweeps right off.

We bought some slip on flip flops for us and for guests at a sporting good store for $5.88 that have a more sticky rubber sole. When we looked at slip on's I ran my hand on the sole, if it slipped easily, it was not good for our use, if it slip very slowly on my hand or not at all, it was good to buy. I also bought a pair of tie boots at Walmart that I slip on for use in cleaning off the spa or getting it ready to use.

We tried a runner rug in the past, putting it out each time we used the tub, but it was more bother than it was worth. We still use the runner for company though and put it by the fireplace to dry after we roll it up.

[sonofsail]

The ice melt chemical is probably calcium chloride, the same use when adding calcium to the tub.  It will dry out the wood.

[Chad]

These work great!

[Brewman]

You might consider removing those before going in the spa.