As winter approaches, businesses need to prepare for icy conditions. Whether you’re in charge of keeping your business’s parking lot or roads safe and clear, it’s important to use a deicer that will get the job done without damaging the pavement or creating hazardous conditions. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one? Let’s take a look at some factors you should consider when selecting a deicer for roads.
What is Deicing?
Deicing is defined as “the application of materials to snow and ice surfaces to reduce or prevent formation of ice or snow. It includes applying salt, sand, chemical mixtures, and other compounds.” Depending on your needs, it can be used both pre-emptively to prevent ice from forming and post-ice/snowfall in order to melt any accumulation.
Types of Deicers
There are several types of deicers for roads available on the market today—all with their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride has one of the longest shelf lives out of all other liquid deicers for parking lots (up to 10 years if stored properly) and works at lower temperatures than other deicers (-25°F). However, because it can be corrosive, it shouldn’t be used on concrete surfaces such as parking lots or driveways.
Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride (also known as rock salt) is one of the most commonly used liquid deicer for sidewalks due to its low cost and effectiveness down to about 15°F. However, because it can damage vegetation and corrode metal surfaces over time, it should only be used sparingly in areas where those risks are minimal.
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride is an effective option that starts working quickly even in cold temperatures (down to -13°F). While more expensive than rock salt and calcium chloride, magnesium chloride is less corrosive and generally gentler on vegetation than other options.
Urea
Urea is an organic compound that has been found to work effectively at melting snow and ice down to 0°F but can also help reduce runoff water pollution since it contains nitrogen fertilizer components that break down into nutrients for nearby vegetation.
Calcium Magnesium Acetate
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is another organic compound made from limestone acetic acid and brine solutions that works well at temperatures below 15°F but doesn’t damage vegetation like urea does. However, CMA costs significantly more than other options making it less cost-effective for large areas such as roads or highways.
Conclusion
When choosing a deicer for roads and business needs this winter season, consider these factors carefully before making your decision so you can get maximum bang for your buck without compromising safety or damaging your property—or the environment around you! By weighing all these considerations carefully before investing in a particular product or service provider, you can rest assured knowing you have made an informed choice when selecting a deicer tailored precisely for your specific needs this winter season! Contact us to learn more about our liquid deicer for roads.
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