While it’s always best to let a professional snow and ice management company choose and apply the best ice melt products to your property, we know that sometimes customers want to have products on hand to use themselves too. If that’s the case, it’s time to get ready for the winter season and purchase the best ice melt products available for sale out there. Then you can use those ice melt products and get a hassle-free ice melting experience. It will even provide you with the assistance needed to get rid of some ice and snow on your own. Continue to read this article, and we will be sharing some useful tips with you on how to get the best ice melt products for the upcoming winter.
How Do Ice Melt Products Actually Work?
Ice melt products work as follows: their unique chemicals cause a decrease in the freezing temperature, which results in moisture and the formation of a liquid brine, which in turn produces heat and melts the ice. In cold weather, bear in mind that melting ice is less effective in a lower temperature. It will respond more slowly, and even using more of the substance won’t help the procedure go more quickly. When applying snow salt onto your property, keep areas of hazard, traffic volume, and sunlight accessibility in mind. Here are some pointers to help you get off to a good start.
- Apply the solution before snow and ice arrive
Apply the melting ice salt first before heavy snow arrives rather than waiting until after. In this manner, as soon as the snow begins to fall, the melt will instantly produce that brine solution & stop any ice from forming on the concrete. In order to increase the efficiency of the ice salt and utilize less of the item, you may also pretreat your surfaces. To prevent snow from becoming compacted down and becoming a slippery surface, keep spraying during the storm and after it has passed.
- Apply the proper ice melt for your situation and weather
By doing some preliminary research, you may stop spending money and employing a product that is ineffective for your application. Rock salt, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride as well as mixtures are only a few examples of the many ice-melting products. The melting point and the way it impacts plants or concrete vary greatly according to what you get. Keep in mind: Ice melt should never be used on concrete that is younger than 2 years old since it might harm the surface due to freezing and thawing. Additionally, consider the weather in your region, the typical wintertime temperature, how much sunlight the property receives, as well as whether dogs will be using the area.
Currently, there is a variety of ice melts available to accommodate different needs. Some ice melts function well in extremely cold conditions, some work better in somewhat warmer temps, and some ice melts are popular because they won’t hurt your plants. There are also “pet-safe” ice melts that are less toxic and less corrosive that also work well for fresh concrete.
- Follow the instructions – Yes, really!
Be careful to read and follow the directions since they exist for good purposes. To ensure that you are receiving precise coverage, it is better to utilize a mechanical spreader. On your driveway or sidewalk, using too much or too little ice melt might work against you rather than for you. The right dosage, often one cup every square yard, can melt the ice to the point where you can shovel it away from concrete, but the quantity of product needed per square yard might vary depending on the substance type, so always double-check before using.
- Check The Ice Melt for The Ingredients
All ice melt products include an ingredient list and a description of their composition on the jar or lid. It should be noted that the advertised melting temperature listed on ice melt product packaging refers to pavement temperature rather than the air temperature.
Investigate, read online, or get in touch with the business directly for technical support. You may do online research for the most efficient and precise ice melt, or you can specifically go about getting advice on what works best for individuals in your area if your ultimate objective is finding a suitable ice melt for fresh concrete. Reviews may thus greatly assist you in making a wise decision.
You always can ask the ice melt maker or dealer for a demo to get a first-hand experience and to learn the outcome of the selected ice melt. If you are located in the Mid-Atlantic area, feel free to reach out to our sister company Snow & Ice Salt & Chemicals Unlimited, LLC with questions.
- Take a look at the industry standards
The purchaser of ice melt must be aware of both the Federal stamp and validation. The requirements are listed by the safety department taking into account the surfactants, chelating agents, and solvents of the items. The proportion of substances, such as salt, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride is also provided by all such criteria. All of these Federal validations also examine the toxicity & physiology of the product.
- Be mindful of the safety of using application
The product’s box or jar also states a number of the safety rules you need to adhere to, such as wearing gloves while applying ice melt and distributing the substance evenly for the greatest outcome. There are instructions on how to utilize the product with your child or pet in an emergency as well. It is essential to have a complete understanding of the safety measures that you should follow before you even purchase the ice-melting product. Then you can keep peace of mind and adhere to safety guidelines as you use it and get your job done.
Conclusion: By taking your ultimate needs into consideration, you may start looking for the greatest safe melt product. A demonstration from the relevant safe melt provider would be beneficial for greater satisfaction and allow you to complete your safe melted purchase.
If you have questions about this or any snow and ice management issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Rasevic. Our team is happy to help!