Each winter, facility owners and managers subconsciously fear the worst – slip and fall accidents on their property that can be a costly litigation. So, preventing these situations from occurring has never been more important, as you are the ones responsible for eliminating exposure to hazardous grounds during inclement weather. This means keeping walkways, stairs and entryways clear of ice and snow. The cost of effective deicers and time spent maintaining these areas are minor compared to the risks associated with slippery walkways. But how do you decide which deicers to use?
According to a nationwide survey conducted on 2,000 of the biggest buyers of deicers, these are the factors that are most important when choosing an effective deicer:
- It works fast;
- Doesn’t harm the concrete;
- Works at low temperatures, and;
- Is safe for vegetation.
As you’ve done your research you may read about various types of salt for melting ice: calcium chloride being one of them. But what does this mean for your commercial property? When the primary goal of a property manager is to maintain safe walkways during fierce weather, it pays to know which deicer will be the most effective.
What is Calcium Chloride?
Calcium chloride is a liquid material in its natural state that can be used as a liquid treatment or be formed into solid pellets to free pavements of ice and snow. Named one of the most effective deicers to use, it can be used in temperatures as low as -13°F and maintains a melting power down to -25°F. That’s lower than any other common deicer on the market!
How Does It Work?
Calcium chloride stands apart from other options because it outdistances traditional deicers by being the fastest acting, most effective
material in terms of melting ice. This is because it attracts and absorbs moisture from its surroundings, generating heat as it dissolves to form a potent ice melting brine faster. In other words, it lowers the freezing point of water to melt snow and ice quickly. It gets very hot, very fast cutting through ice and snow to achieve a safer, bare pavement quicker. In fact, it’s so quick it melts up to eight times as much ice than salt does alone!
What Are the Environmental Factors?
The environmental impact of ice melters has become an increasing concern for many. While it can be hazardous when used improperly, the benefits of calcium chloride outweigh any potential disadvantages. For example, under typical application conditions, it will not damage grassy or vegetation areas adjacent to a surface that is being deiced. Instead of harming plants, it actually aids them in providing appropriate nutrients to their roots. It is also deemed the least harmful to concrete.
Bonus fact: It leaves a clear brine. Those footprints that once imprinted in the snow have become a thing of the past. Calcium chloride will cut through snow and ice creating a Teflon-like surface that doesn’t allow snow to bond to the concrete.
With more than 150-plus years of combined experience, our professional snow and ice management team can help you diminish slippery ice with fewer applications, reducing your ice management costs, as well as providing a more sustainable solution that can handle even the toughest icy conditions.
Melting Your Ice, Melting Your Worries
We are ready for the toughest deicing jobs on your St. Louis commercial property this winter. Give us a call at 314-770-2828 or use our simple contact form to discuss your snow and ice management needs.
