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Both rock salt and ice melt are naturally occurring salts. Rock salt is sodium chloride, which is the same as table salt. Ice melt products can be made from a combination of salts like magnesium chloride and calcium chloride or can be those salts alone.

Rock salt comes in large crystals, so it helps provide traction on icy surfaces, whereas ice melt products need to be mixed with sand to provide traction. Ice melt products work at lower temperatures than rock salt, so they might be a better choice if you have a harsh winter climate.

The cost of removing snow from a roof averages between $300 and $700. However, this cost can range from $200 to $3,000, depending on the size of your roof, the amount of snow, and roof accessibility. 

Since snowfall can range from light powder to heavy and condensed snow, part of the price of roof snow removal depends on the amount and type of snow. For 12 inches of snow, you can expect to pay between $200 and $2,000 for this job. However, for 24 inches of snow, that price rises to $300 to $3,000.

When starting the engine, you typically leave the choke on a snowblower in the "choke" or "closed" position. After starting, let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up. Then, gradually open the choke, moving it to the "open" or "run" position, allowing more air into the engine and transitioning to a normal fuel-air mixture. The exact duration varies based on the snowblower model and ambient temperature, but as a general rule, you should open the choke once the engine has stabilized and runs smoothly, typically within a few minutes.

You can use hot water to melt ice from your driveway, but there are some serious caveats. Very hot water can quickly melt ice and remove it, which is helpful if you’re very short on time and need a solution ASAP. However, it will only work across a small area, after which there’s a chance the water will freeze again. The sudden clash of temperatures is dangerous for fragile materials, notably windows and other glass, so you’ll want to keep the water away from your car.