Snow Melt — What Can You Do About the Rest of Snow in Your Yard?

If you own a facility, you must keep it operational, regardless of the season. When the snow falls, it is even more complicated because of the possible hazards, such as slip-and-fall accidents. Often, removing snow is not sufficient to keep the area tidy. However, having a good ice melt product will keep our surroundings safe. Today, we would like to guide you through keeping the appearance and functionality of your courtyard or parking lot in the winter. 

Is Removing Snow Enough? 

In winter, when the snowfall starts and a snow cover is apparent, many of us focus on removing snow accumulation. This, however, is not enough to keep the area, clean, tidy, and most of all, safe. Firstly, it must be acknowledged that snow melt or ice melt is as important in snow removal as the mechanical part (e.g., skid steer with appropriate attachment). Therefore, below we prepared a quick guide on the best practices connected to snowmelt and all you must know about melting snow. 

6 Steps to a Successful Snow Removal 

Step #1: Always Use Ice Melt 

Many want to save time or money and do not use ice melt. However, it is crucial, as it can keep entryways or sidewalks free of slippery surfaces. It will be a lot more expensive and time-consuming when there is an accident on the premises of your property. Why? Because many states and provinces have laws in place, that require a business owner to take action to prevent people from slipping. You can imagine how problematic it would get if you got sued for doing nothing in that matter. By doing nothing, facility managers and their business owners open themselves up to legal action. 

Usually, even though the snow cover was removed, a thin layer of ice can remain and pose a threat to the passers-by. It can occur even with a light dusting of snow. 

Step #2: Do not Use Too Much Ice Melt 

Not using ice melts is a problem, but using too much of it may also be an issue. The rule "the more the better" does not apply here! When it comes to ice melt, less is more. If you use too much of it, it can easily be transported to your facility. It is also harmful to vegetation. For the best results, read the application instructions which will tell you the recommended quantities. 

The application should always be performed with a spreader (whether it is a handheld version, a walk-behind spreader, or a skid steer spreader). Only using a spreader guarantees an even distribution of the product. You can use colored ice melts for even greater results. 

Step #3: Apply Ice Melt Correctly 

Application directions are not only useful for getting the quantity of ice melt right. You will also learn whether there is a necessity to wear personal protective equipment, such as gloves (for calcium or magnesium chloride). The instructions will also tell you whether you can use the ice melt on the roof, and how and when the ice melt gets into the water system (because it eventually does). 

You will also find the instructions on when to apply the ice melt. It should ideally be applied before the storm, anticipated freezes, and when the snow has already been removed. Contrary to what you may think, spreading ice melt over a pile of snow is a waste of your time and resources. Pre-application, however difficult to predict, is crucial to successful snow removal. 

Before climate change brings winter weather, seal any surfaces, on which you will spread the ice melt with a sealant. It will stop moisture from penetrating the pores and cracks in the concrete. It is ice that damages the concrete surface, not ice melt! Due to the expansion and contraction processes within the cracks, the surface gets damaged. Too porous materials (eg., bricks) should not be treated with ice melt. 

Step #4: Use the Appropriate Type of Ice Melt 

Deicers available on the market are a mixture of one to five materials (calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and urea). The differences between them come from the speed with which they work and at what temperatures (releasing or absorbing the heat). 

There are two types of deicers: 

1. Exothermic deicers (eg., solid calcium chloride)- they release heat and cause the ice to melt; they are the fastest, and work in a wide range of temperatures; use them in cold climates (where the temperature often drops below 0) 
2. Endothermic deicers (eg., solid sodium chloride)- absorb the sun’s heat to break the ice down; they work slower at a smaller temperature range. 

Many also ask the question: should I use salt or sand? 

It is recommended to use salt when the temperatures are closer to freezing. All it needs is a thin layer of water on top of the ice and it will dissolve quickly. You should not consider salt in extremely cold climates. Such extreme weather conditions are perfect for sand use. There is no option to melt the ice so the only way to deal with it would be to provide better traction with the sand. Sand also provides traction almost immediately, whereas salt does not work as quickly as sand and it takes time to dissolve. 

The drawback of using sand is the frequency with which you must apply it, as it gets easily relocated with snowfall, wind, and excessive traffic. 

Step #5: Remove the Excess 

The excess of ice melt leaves unaesthetic effects, such as: 

1. white residue (sodium chloride ice melt) 
2. oily residue (calcium chloride, magnesium chloride) 

Residue might damage floors and become slippery, therefore, it is important to get rid of it for safety reasons too. 

To avoid problems, use special mats at entrances for wiping off shoes, and mop or vacuum the excess brought into buildings. 

Step 6#: Speed up Your Work 

Using manual spreaders is an effective but daunting task. For the best results, use the skid steer to help you spread the ice melt in no time. 

Yes, you can not only use it in colder months to remove winter or spring snow cover. You can turn it into a hydraulic spreader too! Choose one of our Salt and Sand Spreader attachments that come in two different styles: 

1. a hitch-style salt spreader- to be manually loaded with material 
2. a hydraulic bucket-style spreader- thanks to the attachment tilting feature, you can scoop up material and then spread it without leaving the cab. It is a great relief when you must spread the ice-melt salt over large areas eg., parking lots. 

No matter which model you choose, you will become a proud owner of the highest quality tool made in the USA and of American steel. All our spreaders come with a one-year warranty. Do you have any questions about the snowmelt, its application, or spreader attachments? Do not hesitate to contact us! Our knowledgeable team will gladly help get you (and your skid steer!) through the winter months.