Ice Melt: Clearing The Way

Recent surveys indicate that a clean appearance and safe environment are top-of-mind for custodial managers, which is why it is no surprise that they focus so much attention on parking lots, sidewalks and outdoor entryways. Caring for these areas can be an ongoing challenge, especially when Mother Nature is added to the mix and winter weather rears its ugly head.

Snow and ice can present all kinds of problems for custodial managers. Not only are sloppy and slippery surfaces an eye sore, but they are a legitimate safety concern. Poorly maintained sidewalks can also result in water, dirt and debris tracked throughout the building, wreaking havoc on floors and carpets.

To minimize the impact winter weather has on the facility, custodial managers are advised to reevaluate their ice removal methods and identify proper products and procedures that best fit their needs.

Product Makes Perfect

To implement a successful ice and snow removal program, managers must first benchmark their plan and identify their specific need, then pinpoint the melter that best fits that need. There are actually a variety of different melting products available for commercial use and each features a specific chemical composition that is associated with its functionality.

According to manufacturers, the most readily available and economical ice melter used in a commercial setting is plain rock salt, or sodium chloride. This product will melt snow and ice in temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit and is sufficient for most applications.

Because it is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, many custodial managers will utilize sodium chloride ice melter in large areas such as parking lots, where there is less concern for protecting concrete and vegetation.

But, in areas that receive more frequent attention, such as sidewalks and outdoor entryways, custodial managers may want to consider a blended ice melt product, such as calcium chloride. These blends melt ice faster than rock salt, and work in colder temperatures, too.

There are also blends available to meet the eco-friendly needs of custodial managers that require less corrosive melters. By combining ingredients such as potassium chloride, magnesium chloride or urea, manufacturers have developed a variety of green ice melters. These products are gentle on vegetation, plants and concrete, and safer for use around pets.

Although these are some of the more popular products on the market, the technology surrounding ice melters continues to improve and manufacturers are actively developing new blends of products to meet the growing needs of the facility manager.

Application Is Everything

No matter what ice melter is used, it will only be effective if dispersed properly. In most cases, users have a tendency to apply too much product with the assumption that it will work quicker or be more effective. In reality, though, this technique is only successful in wasting product and money, and causing potential damage to the environment.

To make it easy on cleaners, every manufacturer provides explicit directions for use on each package of ice melter. Managers are advised to consult this information prior to every use to guarantee proper application. These instructions will not only explain which product is best used for the situation, but they will also outline application instructions and how much product should be used.

Whether dispersed manually or in a mechanical spreader, most ice melting products are already designed and specifically sized to provide optimal surface coverage, meeting the melting needs of the situation. To aid in the process, some manufacturers have gone one-step further and added die to the product, making it easy to identify and spread. These colored melters help prevent over-use, boosting financial savings and aiding in the protection of the environment.

Once managers have identified the ice melter that best fits their need and properly trained the staff on ideal application, frequency of use must be addressed. There is little science to this step of the process because the frequency in which the product should be applied is going to be determined by the severity and duration of the winter storm.

Many manufacturers recommend applying ice melters in advance of a storm to guarantee the product is in place when the snow begins to fall. It also enables the product to create brine on the surface, which will both inhibit the bonding of ice and melt falling snow.

Other manufacturers recommend continuously spreading melters during a snowfall. This prevents the snow from becoming hard-packed on the surface while removing snow and ice from concrete. Whether done before or during a storm, this early attention can prevent freeze-thaw scaling and provide a safe and clean surface for building occupants.

Safe And Secure

Between storms, managers must protect their ice melt investment by properly storing products in a tightly sealed and dry location. This will guarantee the product is ready for use when needed.

According to manufacturers, most ice melters are hygroscopic, which means they draw moisture from the air. As a result, the product could harden over time if not properly stored and sealed. Although hardened products can still be effective for future use, they will need to be agitated before cleaners can disperse the ice melter properly.

Ice melters that incorporate specialty chemicals such as magnesium chloride can also change their chemical composition if not stored properly. If exposed to even the smallest amount of moisture in the air, salt that includes magnesium chloride can liquefy, making it ineffective.

Direct water and moisture can also be ice melts worst enemies. In fact, rainwater and melting snow can quickly cut into a pile of salt, rendering it useless. Mangers should make sure that the melter is not exposed to the elements or it can result in money and product wasted.

At the very least, coverage is essential when storing this product. Manufacturers recommend a tightly sealed canister for storage, but if one is not available, keep ice melters in a storage shed or similar dry location. This will minimize its exposure to moisture and protect the product investment.

Heeding the advice from manufacturers, custodial managers should periodically reassess their snow and ice removal programs. Identifying the proper product for every situation, reassessing how the ice melt is dispersed and guaranteeing proper storage will help streamline the process and provide managers with their desired result: a safe environment and a clean appearance for building occupants.