It’s December, and that means the snow and ice season is fully upon us. You don’t want to be caught unprepared, especially when it comes to extreme weather. The best way to be prepared is to have a complete snow removal plan, which includes managing dangerous ice build-up. Being ready to tackle ice can help prevent many accidents and make your pavements safer. Learn more about the best deicers such as Calcium Chloride ice melt, Magnesium Chloride, Liquid Brine, Rock Salt, Calcium Magnesium Acetate, and more available now at SISCU.
The Top 5 Ice Melt Products
The best ice melt product for your job depends on a variety of circumstances, including your budget, climate conditions, road conditions, and more. Below you will find the top 5 ice melt products available at SISCU, complete with descriptions and advantages/disadvantages to help you decide which product is right for you this winter. Chloride products are more effective and require fewer applications to have efficient results, however, they are typically more expensive compared to other options such as Rock Salt and CMA. Continue reading to learn more.
Calcium Chloride Ice Melt
The strongest ice melt product available is Calcium Chloride ice melt. Calcium Chloride is a hygroscopic salt that absorbs moisture from the air to lower the freezing point of water. One application of this product will keep a pavement protected from ice for extended periods of time. Calcium Chloride is available in both pellet and flake form to help fit all types of pavement conditions. The most popular Calcium Chloride pellets are Peladow. These contain 90% calcium chloride and penetrate ice faster than other ice melt chemicals. Their round shape causes this product to be mobile upon application, allowing the applicator to spread it around as needed. Peladow is effective in temperatures as low as -25°F. Calcium Chloride flakes, Dowflake, contain between 83-87% calcium chloride and have a hard and flat shape. This shape allows the product to adhere directly to the surface after application. This leads to greater precision, especially in smaller spaces. Dowflakes are also effective in temperatures as low as -25°F. Both Calcium Chloride pellets and flakes are very effective at preventing dangerous ice build-up with less product required to achieve results.
Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt
Another effective alternative to Calcium Chloride ice melt is Magnesium Chloride. Magnesium Chloride is also a hygroscopic salt that lowers the freezing point of water, but it is not as concentrated as Calcium Chloride. The lower chloride concentrations make Magnesium Chloride a more environmentally friendly ice melt solution compared to Calcium Chloride. Magnesium Chloride is said to be safer for surrounding plant and animal life, while still being effective in temperatures as low as -13°F. This product is also available in both pellet and flake form, just like Calcium Chloride. If you are deciding between Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride for your ice management needs, Magnesium Chloride is a better option if your pavement receives frequent animal traffic or is located near lots of plant life.
Liquid Brine
Liquid brine is best as an anti-icing product, meaning it is applied before a snowstorm hits. Liquid brine is used as a pretreatment and the solution binds to the pavement, effectively blocking ice and snow molecules from forming their own bonds and building up. Anti-icing liquid brine treatments are only effective in the right combination of conditions, which is why you should consult a professional ice management team such as Rasevic Companies to look through your pavement conditions, humidity levels, and weather predictions in order to determine when liquid brine would be a good fit. Liquid brine makes snow removal and ice management after a storm more efficient because plows will have an easier time cutting through roads already treated.
Rock Salt
Rock Salt is often the most well-known ice melt product due to its availability in bulk and affordability. Rock Salt is made up of almost 100% sodium chloride, allowing it to effectively melt large quantities of snow and ice. Rock Salt lowers the freezing point of water and melts ice upon application. Rock Salt is very corrosive and can be damaging to concrete and pavement. It can also damage surrounding grass as well and is not recommended for private roads or areas with no prior damage. Rock Salt is only effective in temperatures as low as 15°F, so it may not be the best ice melt option for colder climates. Rock Salt is best if you are looking for an affordable ice melt in bulk to treat busy roads.
Calcium Magnesium Acetate
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) is another type of ice melt product available to minimize ice production. CMA is granulated calcium magnesium acetate, formulated from dolomitic lime and acetic acid. Compared to Rock Salt, it is less corrosive and approved by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. This product will not damage concrete or pavement upon application, making it a better option than Rock Salt for roads that need protection. Additionally, CMA works by blocking snow particles from bonding to one another or the pavement, and thus reduces ice build-up. It is effective in temperatures as low as 15°F, so if you live in a colder climate, this may not be the most effective product. Calcium Magnesium Acetate is also a more eco-friendly product compared to Rock Salt and safer for plants and animals. CMA is a great product if you are looking for a more affordable ice melt that is less corrosive than Rock Salt.
The Best Ice Melt Products at SISCU
SISCU offers the best ice melt products to help keep your roadways and pavements safe this winter. You can see their comprehensive selection of deicers here. From Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Rock Salt, Calcium Magnesium Acetate, Liquid Brine, and more, SISCU has all varieties of ice melt products to make sure you are prepared this winter season. Fill out the form below to get a free quote for your next order.