It may be rare and not a great time of the season to even think about it, but IF we ever have a mild winter in the Mid-Atlantic Region, it will most likely lead to the need for some extra dust control during the Spring, Summer or Fall. That’s right, ice melt in its various rock salt forms, from Calcium Chloride to Magnesium Chloride, have practical uses beyond simply being a de-icer. When the region doesn’t have a white blanket of snow over it which leads to ice formation, there’s still plenty to do with that leftover road salt you weren’t able to use up this season.
You might even want to consider reordering more ice melt products to ensure that you’ve got enough to use for customers that might want dust control services in the warmer months!
Why not just use water for dust control?
There’s a simple solution of pouring water instead of using ice melt chemicals or liquid brine. You place the water on the dirt parts of the road, and when they are nice and wet, they simply won’t dust-up as much. It seems simple enough, and the Washington DC, Baltimore, and Virginia areas are all known to be humid, but it won’t last, and eventually, it will dry up with the area needing dust control once again.
What about pavers for dust control?
Some consider placing specialized add-on pavers on the road, especially on dirt roads. This method seems like an over-engineered solution to add a whole new layer to a road rather than simply throw some rock salt on the road once in a while. This layer could also break down, get chipped, damage local car tires, and ultimately lead to consistent maintenance and repair, which is never a job someone wants to do if it’s not initially part of the agreement or contract.
What about gravel for dust control?
This method is another temporary solution that needs constant maintenance, and gravel is not cost-effective. It can also be ground down after cars and trucks regularly drive over them, eventually adding to the dust problem instead of eliminating them. They also don’t work well with snow and ice, and using ice melt chemicals during de-icing on gravel, will lead to additional headaches as gravel can be pretty slippery. In turn, instead of looking for a rock salt supplier, you’ll also need to separately look for a sand supplier when trying to work with gravel roads.
Ok, I’m convinced now, but how does ice melt for dust control work?
It’s all science. What is ice melt made of? Whatever type of salt combination it is, whether it’s Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Acetate or some other form of road salt, they all absorb moisture. That’s the size of it. They absorb the water out of the air and thus keep the topsoil moist in return. In addition to keeping that topsoil moist, any rock salt option will work with the topsoil to form a firmer unpaved road, leading to less dust. It’s a simple and highly cost-effective solution that will eliminate any dust problems on the road.
Why do dusty roads even matter?
Roads that you see kicking up a lot of dust when driven over are falling apart, meaning they’re only going to throw up more dust and continue to break down. Not only is a broken road dangerous for the drivers themselves, but the dust itself is harmful. Humans shouldn’t be inhaling fine or thicker dust particles ever, especially consistently, which means that having that ice melt on hand will do wonders for local residents.
Whether you’re in the commercial snow pavement business or in charge of the local municipality, having bulk salt on hand to manage dusty roads will go a long way to preserving healthy conditions and unpaved roads until you find other solutions. This backup also works for Mid-Atlantic-based Industrial and Manufacturing companies that need to handle their job sites, which are probably already having delicate particle issues, and don’t need to add dirt and dust from the road into the mix. In addition, it can help develop cleaner work environments in those sectors by maintaining moisture through the use of Ice Melt chemicals.
Which ice melt works best with the dust
Any ice melt or rock salt is an excellent option for whatever industry needs it. It’s always a good idea to go with the strongest, calcium chloride. Keep in mind that the strongest can have an effect that’s detrimental to parts of the environment, so if there’s a need for preserving the local flora (and fauna), consider using weaker but still highly effective options such as Magnesium Chloride. In this scenario, since you don’t need a pre-treatment de-icer, you may want to stay away from the liquid brine or acetate options, as they simply won’t be as effective in controlling dust.
Keep in mind that for those with concerns over environmental damage, even when using Calcium Chloride, it’s simply salt versus a toxic substance. It’s much better than the alternative of dust particles entering into the local population’s lungs, causing sedimentary breakdown and rundown that can lead to local waterways. This hazard will actually cause a lot more harm than the regular use of rock salt to prevent dust accumulation on the road.
What else to consider about dust control?
No matter which route you’re going to take and what your responsibilities are (especially if you’re managing government facilities and the space around them), always make sure to work with a reputable ice melt supplier. Going for one with a good reputation will give you peace of mind and help you with precisely what is best for your situation. In addition, a quick call and conversation can lead to a lot fewer headaches down the line, both from too much dust inhaled and having the wrong type of product for dust control.
Also, working with a local bulk salt supplier like SISCU will drastically reduce your annual costs because you can place recurring orders consistently, manage expenses better instead of ordering as needed, and pay more upfront costs for expedited delivery. Have questions? Contact us anytime!