Get ready to melt and deice this winter season with help from Reinders application tips to liquid and granular ice melt.
Winter season is quickly approaching, so now’s the proper time to ensure your businesses, contracts, clients, and staff are well equipped to take on the snow and ice with either liquid ice melt or granular ice melt. Stay prepared with these ice melt application tips.
- Stock a diverse selection of ice melt products– Although they all have the common denominator of effectively melting ice, all liquid ice melt and granular ice melt products differ based on their application purposes. It is best to keep a diverse stock on hand to make deicing various surfaces quick and efficient.
- Anti-ice before the storm with liquid ice melt – Anti-icing is a proactive strategy to prevent ice bonds from forming between accumulation and the surface, typically executed with a direct liquid application up to 48 hours before a storm.
- Remove snow from surfaces as quickly as possible to reduce compaction – Although liquid ice melt and granular ice melt work to soften and break compacted snow, manually removing the snow before compaction will expedite the work of the product and require less of it!
- Plow before applying deicers to avoid dilution of the ice melt – You’ll run the risk of overusing the product by compensating for the diluted salt.
- Minimize deicer use during the storm – Applying during a storm is not the best use because it’s manually removed with the snow after the storm and more has to be applied. Try pre-treating and post-treating for product longevity and efficiency.
- Do not use chlorides to burn off the snow – Enough said!
- Do not apply dry rock salt below 15°F pavement temp; it will not melt fast enough – Use one of your other products on hand that is effective below 15°F.
- If pavement temperature is below 15°F, use wetted rock salt – Pre-wetting is a common technique whereby a liquid deicer is applied to rock salt at the spinner to accelerate performance.
- Clean up product spills – Stepping and driving through mounds of granular ice melt increases the corrosive and costly damage to shoes, entrance mats, and flooring, vehicle underbodies.
- Accurately record the materials used at each site – This will help determine how much product is being used per application and its effectiveness.
- Always have mechanical pencils handy, ink doesn’t flow in cold weather – The more you know!
With these ice melt application tips, you’re well on your way to using ice melt products appropriately and effectively this winter season.
Visit Reinders today to inquire about ice melt application tips, product recommendations, or best practices for both liquid ice melts and granular ice melts. We’re here to make everyone’s lives headache-free this winter season, whether contractor or facility manager.
