Professional snow removal companies across the United States and near us in Baltimore & Washington DC commonly turn to magnesium chloride to rapidly deice roadways and parking lots during extreme winter weather. The environmentally friendly deicer is effective even when the temperature plummets to -13 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Consumer Reports. But which shape is best and why – magnesium chloride pellets, magnesium chloride flakes?
First, What is Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt?
When spread across roads, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) effectively prevents snow from bonding and forming into hard-packed ice. By rendering the snow into a slushy mixture, it can be easily plowed away by snow removal equipment. MgCl2 can also be successfully spread prior to a winter storm to prevent ice and snow from building up and freezing to walkways and other high traffic areas. Applying magnesium chloride lowers the roadway’s freezing point by about 10 degrees F., which helps make driving walking conditions less dangerous. High Country News reports, “We have never said it was a perfect product,” says Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). “Each product will have its downside, but we think this product achieves the best balance.”
Magnesium chloride products are frequently mixed with rock salt to remove hard-pack build up on sidewalks and in parking lots. When spread on existing ice and snow, it quickly breaks up the snow and ice to restore safer walkway conditions. Unlike some de-icing products, magnesium is less corrosive. The substance is pet safe and gentle on surrounding landscape plants.
Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt is Available as Pellets or Flakes
- Magnesium Chloride Flakes – The large surface of the flakes makes the particles stay where they are spread. The shape of the mag flakes allows the flakes to pass easily through ice melt spreaders, including home-style walk behind spreaders and commercial grade equipment spreaders. The flakes mix well with salt, sand, or other abrasive deicers to break up hard pack buildup.
- Magnesium Chloride Pellets – Spherical in shape, pellets work well in ice melt spreaders. The pellet’s shape allows the magnesium chloride to bore into the icy, snowy surface and create a brine as they de-ice. The brine substance is easier to clear with mechanical snow removal equipment.
At Snow & Ice Salt & Chemicals Unlimited, we supply a wide array of premium ice melt and deicer products to snow removal companies across Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Please contact us to learn about our products and what we currently have available.