Whether you manage the public walkways of a university campus, or simply your one-car driveway and fifty feet of sidewalk, you need to be concerned about ice buildup during the winter.
When purchasing an ice melting product, it is important to understand that not all are created equal. Each has pros and cons associated with them. Here are the main ingredients that go into the most common ice-melting products available to consumers and property managers.
Sodium chloride, also known as "rock salt" is the most commonly applied ice melting product. But it has a limited effectiveness in extreme cold and won't melt ice when temperatures fall much below 15 degrees. The good news is that rock salt doesn't necessarily harm concrete surfaces, but it is corrosive to metals like steel. Another big drawback with rock salt is that it causes damage to lawns and landscapes.
Rock salt is used mostly by townships and municipalities when they "salt" the roads because it delivers fair results and is less expensive.
Calcium chloride is another popular ice melting combination and can melt ice down to 25 degrees below freezing. Where I live, we need that lower temperature melting power! The cost of Calcium Chloride ice melters is usually a little more than rock salt, but the advantages are worth the extra pennies.
Calcium Chloride is also less harmful to vegetation when used in accordance with labeling on the bag or bucket.
Magnesium chloride is very much similar to calcium chloride. It is considered less corrosive, safer for use on concrete and less damaging to plants. It delivers similar results in similar temperatures.
Potassium chloride and urea. These are mixtures commonly found in fertilizers, but that does not mean they are safe around vegetation. Keep in mind that any ice melting product you use must be applied at rates recommended on the labeling. Are you seeing the trend here? STICK TO THE LABEL!!
Since urea alone does not contain chlorides, it is less corrosive to metals and better to use on concrete containing rebar and around steel structures.
The drawback to urea is that it does not melt ice as well as other alternatives.
Ice melting products may also contain sand or clay additives to help with traction. I have also seen municipalities use cinders to spread on roads as a way to improve traction.
So How Do Ice Melters Work?
All deicers basically work the same, but bring differing results at lower temps. Ice Melters must reach the pavement or concrete to become completely effective. Once on the pavement they begin to separate the ice from the concrete at which time air and water flow beneath it, generating heat to melt away the rest. In addition, as the ice is loosened, it can be shoveled away easier.
Ice melting products work best if applied before snow or ice accumulates. This way, ice can never bond to the concrete. Spread the ice melt thinly over the surface, following the label directions.
In general calcium chloride and sodium chloride rank the highest in effectiveness based on speed and at the lowest temperatures.
The best time to buy your ice melting products is now, before suppliers run out!
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