What To Use Around Your Business- Ice Melt Or Salt?
As a business owner, the safety of your customers, employees, and equipment is of prime importance during the snowy winter months. Choosing a suitable industrial ice melt for your premises that removes the ice and is safe for your property and environment is not an easy job. Therefore, in this article, we will help you decide what to choose for your business premises.
Difference Between Rock Salt And Ice Melt
One of the most common ways of getting rid of snow on sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots is using rock salt.
The key difference between rock salt and ice melt lies in its blend. Rock salt is nothing but sodium chloride. Ice melt, on the other hand, is generally a blend of sodium chloride and other minerals like magnesium and calcium. Some of the common brands with similar blends are Industrial blue ice melt and Industrial strength ice melt.
If you notice, the common ingredient in rock salt and ice melt is ‘chlorine’. Chlorine makes rock salt, as well as ice melt, behave similarly on concrete, skin, and environment.
However, there is a third category of ice melt solution- non-toxic and non-corrosive ice melt. Unlike Industrial blue ice melt and Industrial strength ice melt, these are usually composed of natural ingredients and are free from the side effects of rock salt and chloride-based ice melt. One such example of this type of ice melt is Safe Thaw.
Safe Thaw
Safe Thaw was created as the ice management solution for tough winter environments. Ideal in commercial and industrial properties, shops, government agencies, bridges, and construction.
How Do They Work-
Rock salt works by lowering the freezing point of the water from 32 degrees to 25 degrees. It slows down the formation of ice.
The chloride (and other minerals) based ice melt solutions work by lowering the temperature below 0 or even -25 degrees. On contact with ice/snow, it absorbs moisture forming a salty solution (brine) that produces heat and melts the ice.
Another unique way to thaw or melt ice is by using a specific crystal ice melt that easily dices the ice. The amide core-glycol combination removes snow, provides traction, and is non-corrosive and non-conductive. It takes the melting process a step further by disallowing the water molecules to refreeze or form icy crystals.
100% salt & chloride-free, fast acting Ice Management Solution
Now Let’s Discover The Impact Of Each On Your Concrete And Surroundings-
Impact on concrete-
As a business owner, you might be concerned about the safety of your concrete used in the driveway and parking area. Bits of rock can grind against the surface and tear up the concrete. It can damage a parking lot or road over time.
Natural ice melt forms a protective shield on your surface thus, preventing ice from sticking to it. It is equally effective on new concrete as well.
Impact on metal-
Rock salt and chemical-based ice melt are highly corrosive and can damage your machinery and vehicles. On the other hand, salt-free industrial ice melt would neither corrode vehicles nor rust your machinery.
As the owner of business premises, you need to take care of the safety of your employees, customers, their vehicles, your property as well as the environment. Considering so many factors, making the best choice is difficult but with this article, we hope you know how to choose the best one.
Try Also Our Other Winter Safety Products:
Safe Paw
The Original and #1 Selling Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands. Safe Paw can change how winter affects our planet.
Walk On Ice
Prevent slips at home, work or on the go, with the 100% naturally occurring minerals that provide instant traction on ice or snow. Use it on sidewalks, steps, or as instant traction agent for your car’s tires.
