While solid ice melting products like rock salt and calcium chloride products are the most common and conventional way of managing ice and snow, liquid de-icer should not be overlooked. Many snow contractors keep a constant supply of liquid deicer on hand for pre-treating roads, walkways and parking lots for their customers.
What is a liquid de-icer and how is it applied differently than solid ice melt?
Liquid de-icer is similar to solid ice melt in that it is used to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice, reducing the danger of slippery surfaces as well as other hazardous circumstances during the colder months. What is the difference between liquid ice melt and solid ice melt? Solid ice melt comes in hard pellets applied with a spinning spreader, while liquid ice melt is a pre-mixed brine applied with a sprayer.
Liquid de-icer works best when used as a surface preparation BEFORE the storm. However, solid ice melt products can be applied at any time.
Using a liquid de-icing brine solution is not something new. For example, government facilities, municipalities, manufacturing companies, and many other industrial establishments tend to use them quite often. Therefore, you shouldn’t keep any doubts or second thoughts in mind when you are about to use a brine solution. It will help you to end up getting the best returns at the end of the day.
What are the Ingredients in Liquid Ice Melt?
Liquid deicers, like solid melting ice, may be made from a variety of substances. Sodium chloride liquid brine is the most frequent liquid ice melt. This brine is usually made up of 34 parts water and 14 parts sodium (salt).
When to Use Liquid Ice Melt versus Solid Ice Melt Liquid ice melt is intended to use as a proactive, preventative strategy for snow and ice removal. The product is a liquid brine that dries to leave a layer of dry salt that interacts with precipitation to prevent snow and ice from sticking to sidewalks, parking garages, and other surfaces. While it may be used during a storm, it is less effective and deices at a much slower pace than solid ice melt used when there is already snow and ice on the ground.
Solid ice melt, on the other hand, works by collecting moisture from ice and snow in the air, enabling the pellets to generate a brine that ultimately penetrates, softening, or preventing the link between the ice or snow as well as the ground surface. When used before, during, and after a snowfall, solid ice melt is equally effective.
How does Liquid Ice Melt work?
Liquid ice melt, like solid ice melt, may be applied on roads, sidewalks, entryways, parking lots, and other areas where ice and snow build-up can be dangerous. It may be administered using a pump or backpack sprayer, or a tanker truck, depending on the size of the area being treated.
You may think about making the liquid brine solution on your own and applying it. Or else, you can think about seeking the assistance of an expert who can do it for you. No matter what, you will surely enjoy the results that you are getting at the end of the day. Therefore, you may think about using a liquid brine solution without keeping any doubt in mind.
What’s the best way to produce a brine solution?
Anti-icing and deicing agents such as brine solutions are widely utilized. The brine solution used to pre-wet the roadways prevents ice from clinging to the surface. Applying a brine solution to the ice breaks it down into tiny bits that may be easily and rapidly removed off the road. On the ice, brine solution works best at 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Concentrate the brine solution and combine it with deicing chemicals to improve its performance. Making a salt solution for melt ice is a simple and inexpensive process that only takes a few common home products.
Step 1 for making liquid brine
In a 3-to-1 ratio, combine hot water with rock salt. Hot water improves the solubility of a salt, allowing for faster dissolution of additional salt. The brine’s high salt content allows for better deicing.
Step 2 for making liquid brine
In a bucket, combine the salt and water and stir with a wood stick to dissolve all of the salt in the water. Stir the solution constantly. Additives such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate may be put in with the rock salt to improve the brine solution’s impact on the ice. Most deicer products include just a small percentage of all of these deicing ingredients.
Step 3 for making liquid brine
To prevent ice, apply the solution to the concrete. To prevent ice from attaching to the concrete, pre-wet it. Spread the solution over the ice and let it sit for a while to deice. The ice will gradually disintegrate and melt.
Reduce risk & effort – Hire a Professional
Now you have a clear idea of how to make a liquid brine solution as a de-icing product on your own, you have to decide IF you want to do that. Purchasing professional-grade products is the safer, more consistent, and less time-consuming way to go for more snow contractors. Check out our products and let us know if you have questions or would like to place an order. SISCU is open 24/7 before, after, and during the storm!