| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Rock salt doesn't become inert, but it does have a tendancy to wash away with the melted ice, so you will have to reapply the salt. How frequently will depend on the weather conditions, drainage, etc.
Here are a few archives that will answer some of your other questions about rock salt (found by searching our MAD archives for the term rock salt):
Why
salt melts ice?
Appl
y salt before or after ice forms?
How
bad is road salt?
I hope this information helps!
Kieran
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.