Understanding Pavement Ice Melt Products
When choosing a sidewalk and parking lot deicer product, there are two main considerations for picking the right ice melt product: the climatic conditions and the surface material you are treating.
The Right Product for the Climate
When temperatures are extremely cold, you may want to choose an exothermic product that chemically produces heat and releases it to melt ice and snow. Magnesium chloride is an exothermic deicer that is highly rated by professionals. As it releases heat, the product will slowly melt ice. While it may be more expensive than other choices, if you want a product that is more environmentally-friendly to plant life and paved surfaces, then magnesium chloride is a good choice.
When temperatures are above 20°F endothermic deicers work better as these chemicals draw in heat from the air to dissolve frozen water. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is endothermic and is a commonly used ice melt product. But keep in mind this product is moderately corrosive to metals and is marked by the whitish, powdery residue it leaves behind.
Some ice melt products like calcium chloride are hygroscopic which means the product attracts moisture from the surroundings. These products will turn ice and snow into a liquid brine, and for this reason, they are often used with other deicing materials to create a blend
Using Deicers on Paved Surfaces and Vegetation
All de-icing products will affect vegetation; therefore, it is best to try to confine them to paved surfaces. If you’re worried about excess snow damaging bushes or tree limbs, it is best to shovel or brush this snow away.
Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride will melt at a fast pace and only leave a clear brine solution upon melting. Also, consider these two options because they will leave a minimum of residue, and clean-up is virtually non-existent. While rock salt can damage concrete surfaces, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are safer for use there.
Potassium chloride is another option for deicing paved surfaces. These products have a moderate risk of adverse effects on the environment and paved surfaces. These products can be used to melt snow and ice when temperatures are as low as 12°F. Potassium chloride leaves a slight, white residue that can be hosed away and it will not harm vegetation or chemically attack concrete.
For asphalt parking lots, calcium chloride crystals, flakes or pellets or magnesium chloride pellets are safe options to use throughout the winter months. Contact Majestic Facility Experts to learn more about our winter maintenance programs to keep your facility safe.