Summer is wrapping up and you are probably well into your planning for winter 2022-2023. In addition to getting your contracts secure and equipment tuned up and ready, it’s time to make sure you have a reliable supply of ice melt products. Along with pricing, you are striving to make sure the supply will be in your hands when needed, make sure you can replenish it if necessary and that you’ll get a good response from your supplier if you have questions or issues.
As you plan for how much ice melt and rock salt you might need for this upcoming season, there are common resources you probably use. The best tool is your past records, of course. How much product did you use in past seasons? What are your averages for every product? Did you run out? Did you need more to make it through the season? Then you want to consider how your contracts are pacing – are you up or down from last year? Once you figure out those figures, you can make some rough predictions for this upcoming year.
However, the game-changer is the weather of course. Will this be a mild winter or a rip-roaring whirlwind of storm after storm? No one has a crystal ball of course, but there are places you can go to get some help with this.
One time-tested option is the Farmer’s Almanac of course. What is the Almanac saying this year? Here’s a sample from the Almanac writers themselves:
“According to our extended forecasts, this winter season will have plenty of snow, rain, and mush—as well as some record-breaking cold temperatures! We are warning readers to get ready to “Shake, shiver, and shovel!“
The first bite of winter should come earlier than last year’s. December 2022 looks stormy and cold nationwide with an active storm pattern developing and hanging around for most of the season over the eastern half of the country. (Maybe there will be a white Christmas in some areas?)”
In addition to the Almanac, there are many forecasters that make long-range predictions you can check out. For example, the National Weather Service has a climate prediction center that is interesting to check out.
After you have a solid estimate of how much product you’ll need this winter to service your customers, it’s time to consider how you plan to use that product.
As you know, ice melt works as follows: its unique chemicals cause a decrease in the freezing temperature, which results in moisture and the formation of a liquid brine, which in turn produces heat and melts the ice. In cold weather, bear in mind that melting ice is less effective in a lower temperature. It will respond more slowly, and even using more of the substance won’t help the procedure go more quickly. When applying snow salt onto a property, keep areas of hazard, traffic volume, and sunlight accessibility in mind. Here are some pointers to help you get off to a good start, which will also help your customers understand your approach to clearing their property.
- Apply the solution before winter arrives
Apply the melting ice salt first before heavy snow arrives rather than waiting until after. In this manner, as soon as the snow begins to fall, the melt will instantly produce that brine solution & stop any ice from forming on the concrete. In order to increase the efficiency of the ice salt and utilize less of the item, you may also pretreat your surfaces. To prevent snow from becoming compacted down and becoming a slippery surface, keep spraying during the storm and after it has passed.
- Apply the Proper Ice Melt to Your Situation
By doing some preliminary study, you may stop spending money on some products and employing a product that is ineffective for your application. Rock salt, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, solarized salt as well as mixtures containing two of these compounds are only a few examples of the many ice melting substances. The melting point and the way it impacts plants or concrete may vary according to what you get. Ice melt should never be used on concrete that is younger than 2 years old since it might harm the surface due to freezing and thawing. Additionally, consider the weather in your region, the typical wintertime temperature, how much sunlight the property receives, as well as whether dogs will be using the area.
Currently, there is a variety of ice melts available to accommodate your varying demands. Others ice melts function well in cold conditions, some work better in somewhat warmer temps, and some ice melts won’t hurt your plants. There are also pet-safe ice melts for fresh concrete and other options. While some ice melts combine a variety of components and only partially achieve each of the stated end objectives.
- Follow the use instructions
Make careful to follow the directions since they exist for a good purpose. To ensure that you are receiving precise coverage, it is better to utilize a mechanical spreader. On your driveway or sidewalk, using too much or too few ice melt might work against you rather than for you. The right dosage, often one cup every square yard, can melt the ice to the point where you can shovel it away from concrete, but the quantity of product needed per square yard might vary depending on the substance type, so always double-check before using.
- Check The Ice Melt for The Ingredients
All ice melt products include an ingredient list and a description of their composition on the jar or lid. Here, we list popular components alongside the lowest melting point at which they perform at their best. It should be noted that the melting temperature listed above refers to pavement temperature rather than the air temperature.
Investigate, read online, or get in touch with the business directly for technical support or demo. You may do online research for the most efficient and precise ice melt, or you can specifically go about getting advice on what works the best for individuals in your area if your ultimate objective is finding a suitable ice melt for fresh concrete. Reviews may thus greatly assist you in making a wise decision.
You always can ask the ice melt dealer for the demo to get a first-hand experience and to learn the outcome of the selected ice melt.
- Know the industry standards
The purchaser of ice melt must be aware of both the Federal stamp and validation. The requirements are listed by the safety department taking into account the surfactants, chelating agents, and solvents of the items. The proportion of substances, such as salt, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride is also provided by all such criteria. All of these Federal validations also examine the toxicity & physiology of the product.
- Be mindful about safety
The product’s box or jar also states a number of the safety rules you need to adhere to, such as wearing gloves while applying ice melt and distributing the substance evenly for the greatest outcome. There are instructions on how to utilize the product with your child or pet in an emergency as well. It is essential to have a complete understanding of the safety measures that you should follow before you even purchase the ice melting product. Then you can keep peace of mind and adhere to safety guidelines as you use it and get your job done.
Conclusion: By taking all the factors and your customers’ needs into consideration, you can feel confident that you are ordering the right amount of ice melt and rock salt product this season. Never hesitate to contact an ice melt supplier to get their input too. They have experience they can share with calculating these figures. In addition, make sure you utilize a supplier that can replenish your ice melt supplies quickly if you underestimate what’s needed. Feel free to contact us with any questions.