Ice build-up from below freezing temperatures and winter weather can pose a major safety threat to anyone needing to travel after a big storm. While snowy roads are easy to spot, ice is not always as visible and can lead to many dangerous car accidents due to a lack of road treatments. The best way to avoid accidents and create safe driving conditions is by treating roads with deicers. There are a wide variety of deicers available to melt ice after a storm, but one of the most effective products is Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt. Continue reading to learn about why you should invest in Magnesium Chloride to help keep your roadways safe from ice.
What is Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt?
Magnesium Chloride is a hygroscopic salt that absorbs moisture from the air to lower the freezing point of water and melt ice. This product is effective at melting ice in temperatures as low as -13°F, making it a viable treatment for regions that experience extremely cold temperatures such as the Mid-Atlantic. Additionally, Magnesium Chloride is less corrosive and toxic than other ice melt products including baking soda and table salt. This product is also 26x less concrete spalling compared to competitors. This is a major benefit in that Magnesium Chloride will not damage pavement or concrete underneath the ice it is being applied to treat. Other common ice melts such as Rock Salt can be very damaging to concrete and pavement and is therefore not recommended for residential use. Magnesium Chloride ice melt is safe for all surfaces and will not cause damage. When deciding on the best Magnesium Chloride product to treat your icy roads, there are two different variations of the product to choose from. Magnesium Chloride is available in both pellets and flakes depending on your preference. Magnesium Chloride pellets have a round shape that causes them to be mobile upon application, making this ideal for larger surface areas such as major roadways and parking lots. Magnesium Chloride flakes have a flat shape that makes them adhere to pavement upon application. Flakes can provide a more precise application for smaller areas such as sidewalks or outdoor steps. Both flake and pellet products are equally as effective and offer different benefits to the pavement you are treating.
Is Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt Environmentally Friendly?
Magnesium Chloride is often chosen because it is the most effective chloride ice melt product that is also less harmful to the surrounding area. Ice melt products are often applied by a sprayer truck or handheld sprayer, and while the application is typically very precise, there is always the risk that excess product could contaminate nearby plants or animals. This contamination could potentially have fatal consequences and should always be avoided. The best way to ensure a precise application of any ice melt products is by a professional ice management team with the proper equipment and training to keep your roads safe while also protecting vegetation and wildlife. In addition to the proper application, the best way to avoid harmful environmental consequences is by choosing Magnesium Chloride specifically over any other ice melt option. Magnesium Chloride does not contain as high chloride concentrations, which makes it less damaging to the environment. Magnesium Chloride is safer for wildlife and will not damage the paws of any animals that walk across a treated surface. This is especially important to note for highly residential roads and sidewalks that receive a lot of dog traffic.
How is Magnesium Chloride Applied?
The best way to apply Magnesium Chloride is to have a professional ice management company treat your property, such as Rasevic Companies. A professional team will be able to evaluate your property and choose the best application method and ice melt product to keep your roadways safe in the fastest and most affordable way. A spreader or sprayer truck will be utilized to treat larger surface areas such as parking lots or main roadways. Smaller areas may only require a handheld sprayer to ensure a precise and even application. While choosing to apply the product yourself could end up costing more money and time and risk missing important areas, you can safely apply Magnesium Chloride without consulting a professional. Proper protection should be utilized, however, Magnesium Chloride will not irritate your skin if it comes into contact. Additionally, if you own a fertilizer spreader, this can be re-purposed in the winter to apply ice melt products much faster than by hand. The most important thing to remember while applying Magnesium Chloride ice melt is to not miss any areas and avoid contact with surrounding plants and animals.
How Do You Store Excess Magnesium Chloride?
If you find yourself with leftover ice melt products after the winter season, there is no need to worry because this product can be used again next year! If properly stored, Magnesium Chloride will last for multiple snowy seasons to help save you time and money. The best place to store ice melt products is in a climate-controlled facility that does not have access to direct sunlight. Sunlight can spark a reaction in the chloride product that would make it less effective when applied to ice. Additionally, humidity can decrease the effectiveness of Magnesium Chloride and should be avoided. Bags that are open should be properly sealed to eliminate potential exposure. An area such as a warehouse or shed would be the ideal storage location. If you need to store your Magnesium Chloride ice melt outside, make sure it is well covered by a tarp to minimize negative effects.
Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt at SISCU
If you are looking to treat your icy road conditions with Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt, SISCU offers the best quality products available to melt ice fast and efficiently. Click here to see a full list of product selections including a large variety of ice melts. Magnesium Chloride is the best combination of an effective product that is also eco-friendly, making it a very popular choice. Don’t wait, and fill out the form below to get a free quote on your next order of Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt!