It is important to keep all government facilities safe for essential travel and official business during the winter months, and the best way to ensure the safety of all people and property is with ice melt chemicals. Ice melt chemicals are an efficient way to prevent ice build-up and melt ice after a storm to allow a safe and swift return to travel. There are many different types of ice melt chemicals that function slightly differently in terms of weather conditions, pavement types, and strength. Read more to learn about the different types of ice melt products SISCU offers and decide which is right for your government facility this winter.
4 Ice Melt Chemicals
Liquid Brine
Liquid Brine is an anti-icing product, meaning it is applied as a pretreatment to pavement before a storm occurs. Liquid Brine is a solution of water and either magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or sodium chloride and has a freezing point lower than water. An application of liquid brine makes the winter storm clean-up process faster and more efficient, as the anti-icing treatment prevents ice and snow from bonding with the pavement, therefore, snow plows can clear snow away in much less time. This ultimately saves you money, as the entire snow removal crew can work much faster. It is important to consult a professional ice management team before deciding on a Liquid Brine pretreatment for your government facility because Liquid Brine is only effective with the right combination of pavement conditions, humidity levels, and weather conditions. There is only a short window before a storm that Liquid Brine can be applied, so you want to ensure that it is only utilized when necessary. Liquid Brine is a great alternative to Rock Salt because it does not damage the pavement or concrete underneath and is less damaging to the surrounding environment. Additionally, roads can still be driven on after receiving a Liquid Brine pretreatment, and often the solution is barely visible. If your government facility is looking to prevent ice before it forms, Liquid Brine anti-icing is a great option.
Rock Salt
Rock Salt is a popular ice melt chemical because it is available in great bulk at an affordable cost. Rock Salt is almost 100% sodium chloride, allowing this product to melt large quantities of both snow and ice. Rock Salt is a deicing product, meaning it is applied to pavement after a storm to melt ice that has built up. One downside of Rock Salt is that it can damage the pavement underneath, so it is not recommended for roads that are not already damaged or well worn. Additionally, Rock Salt is not a very eco-friendly ice melt product and it can damage grass and other plant life that it comes in contact with. Rock Salt would not be the recommended ice melt product for your government facility if the pavement is not damaged and it surrounds beautiful flower gardens. Rock Salt is effective in temperatures above 15°F, making it a great option for a government facility that has a lot of roads that need to be treated, as the product can be purchased in bulk at an affordable rate.
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride is one of the most effective ice melt products due to its hygroscopic properties that allow the product to absorb moisture from the air and have a lower freezing point than water. Magnesium Chloride is a great ice melt for very cold temperatures, as it is effective to -15°F. This product is also the most effective environmentally conscious ice melt product. Magnesium chloride contains a low enough chloride concentration that it is not toxic to plants and animals and won’t irritate the skin. This is important to note if you are looking to apply a chloride product without the help of a professional and want to avoid injury. Magnesium Chloride is available in both pellet and flake form depending on the needs of your government facility. Pellets come in a round shape that allows the ice melt to be spread around upon application, making them useful for large open spaces such as parking lots. Flakes adhere directly to the surface they are applied to due to their hard, flat shape. Flakes are a great option if you are looking for precision over a smaller area. All forms of Magnesium Chloride ice melt are recommended for government facilities that receive a high volume of animal traffic or have expansive gardens and vegetation that could be at risk.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium Chloride is another type of hygroscopic salt that also absorbs moisture from the air to lower the freezing point of water and melt ice. Calcium Chloride is more effective than Magnesium Chloride because it contains 83-90% chloride concentration. Calcium Chloride pellets are the strongest at 90% chloride, and these are perfect for large open parking lots. Calcium Chloride flakes are just as effective and are better suited for smaller roads and sidewalks. While one application of Calcium Chloride will melt the most amount of ice in the shortest time, its strength makes this product potentially harmful to plants and animals. Additionally, Calcium Chloride can be irritating to the skin, but it is a great product for very cold temperatures and is effective up to-25°F.
No matter what ice melt chemical you choose to treat your government facility, be sure they are properly stored in an air-tight facility that is not exposed to direct sunlight or humidity. This will ensure you can utilize these products for multiple seasons and not waste time or money having to constantly buy new ice melts.
Ice Melt Chemicals at SISCU
If you are looking for the best ice melt products for your government facility, SISCU has a wide variety of options to meet any needs. SISCU ice melt chemicals are available at affordable rates and in bulk if necessary. Check out their ice melt products ranging from Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Liquid Brine, Rock Salt, Calcium Magnesium Acetate, and more. Fill out the form below to receive a free quote on your next order today and keep your government facility protected from ice and snow!