Although all ice melt products work similarly, their effectiveness varies considerably based on temperature. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride products tend to work best at temperatures between -25 and 12 degrees, while potassium chloride products perform admirably even lower down.
Read product instructions carefully when applying deicing product, to ensure the optimal amount is used. Excess deicing product could track into facilities and damage plants or surfaces where it was applied.
Spreading Ice Melt
Ice melt can easily enter buildings, damaging floors and creating unsafe conditions. Utilizing track mats or walk-off matting and performing daily cleaning are effective measures for mitigating this problem; however, complete elimination is impossible; instead the key lies in spreading product evenly rather than overusing.
Read your product label carefully for application instructions, as each product varies in terms of how much to spread per area. A handheld or walk-behind spreader would make this task simpler.
Select a natural deicing product without toxic additives that could harm pets and children if accidentally consumed, as well as products with small amounts of sand or grit to enhance effectiveness and provide additional traction on icy surfaces. Furthermore, avoid products containing too much ice melt as too much could come into contact with surface materials beneath it and cause corrosion damage; keep usage within reason as overusing can harm concrete and burn vegetation.
Applying Ice Melt
Ice melt products come with various melting temperatures and surfaces in mind; your ideal selection will depend on which ingredients (calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, for example) it contains. When applying the product evenly it’s essential that you read and follow all application directions closely as this will determine how much ice melt should be applied and ensure even application.
Utilize track mats at all entrances to reduce the amount of ice melt tracked into buildings and on interior floors. Protect delicate landscaping or outdoor materials using plastic, tarps, or cardboard covers in order to keep ice melt from infiltrating plants and soil.
Finally, it is crucial to select a non-toxic ice melt that does not contain additives that could irritate children and pets’ skin, eyes or mouths. Search for products like Nature’s Blend that do not contain liquid chlorides or dyes for deicing products without harsh additives that could irritate.
Using a Spreader
Ice melt spreaders offer more accurate application than pouring from a bag, leading to less product waste.
A 50 lb push spreader is ideal for homeowners with smaller properties who only require applying a light layer of ice melt. These spreaders are simple to operate and designed for longevity.
If your ice melt has started to clump together, it is essential that it be broken apart as they could be harmful to surfaces you apply it to. Simply drop it onto the ground several times so as to break apart any clumps.
SnowEx walk-behind drop spreaders offer more precise applications. Perfect for use on sidewalks and walking paths, these spreaders have adjustable settings to meet different weather conditions and temperatures; plus you can add a deflector kit for more precise control.
Cleaning Up
Remember when applying ice melt that less is more. Overusing this product may lead to build-up that contaminates facilities and damages flooring; oversaturated grass, vegetation and surrounding areas could be burned by too much salty run-off from cars passing over it, too. Installing doormats at all building entrances and cleaning it promptly when tracked inside will minimize interior surface damage caused by tracked-in ice melt.
Deicers come in all forms and their effectiveness depends on which ingredients are included in them. Some deicers use exothermic melting processes – releasing heat to break down ice – while other chemicals draw heat out from the ground or environment and use that warmth to melt snow and ice quickly. Understanding these chemical’s functioning allows facility managers to make educated choices when selecting appropriate deicers for specific locations or applications.
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