Commercial Deiceing and Salting Services in Aurora, IL
Westfield Landscape is proud to provide ice and snow and ice removal services to all of our commercial, retail, and small business clients with professionalism to maintain your property and provide the highest degree of safety for you and your customers.
Deicing Applications
Applying deicing chemicals and other anti-icing chemicals could help property managers provide a safe ice free and snow free parking lot and walkway surfaces. Salt granules are very popular and have proven an effective method for maintaining safe conditions during and after winter storms. The most common chemicals used are rock salt, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Commercial property managers and owners need to understand the difference between deicing and anti icing applications.
Deicing is considered the application of ice control products to walking and or driving surfaces to melt the existing ice and snow. Snow plow contractors will apply deicing after plowing and other snow removal techniques to melt the remaining ice and snow.
To prevent initial icing of walking surfaces, snow removal contractors will proactively apply anti-icing chemicals to the walking surfaces before the storm begins. The application of Ani-icing products to these surfaced helps prevent the ice and snow from bonding to the cement and asphalt pavement. Surfaces pretreated with anti-icing applications are easier to maintain snow removal. Anti-icing is and alternative to deicing and is a cost effective alternative that can create safer winter conditions. Not all winter conditions are the same, and snow and ice removal professionals need to apply these, as needed, depending on current winter conditions.
Deicing is considered the application of ice control products to walking and or driving surfaces to melt the existing ice and snow. Snow plow contractors will apply deicing after plowing and other snow removal techniques to melt the remaining ice and snow.
To prevent initial icing of walking surfaces, snow removal contractors will proactively apply anti-icing chemicals to the walking surfaces before the storm begins. The application of Ani-icing products to these surfaced helps prevent the ice and snow from bonding to the cement and asphalt pavement. Surfaces pretreated with anti-icing applications are easier to maintain snow removal. Anti-icing is and alternative to deicing and is a cost effective alternative that can create safer winter conditions. Not all winter conditions are the same, and snow and ice removal professionals need to apply these, as needed, depending on current winter conditions.
Sodium Chloride and Calcium Chloride
Sodium chloride is also non as rock salt. It is the same thing as table salt, the salt that you put on your food. Rock salt is much larger circular granules whereas table salt is much smaller grannnual and has retained its crystalline structure.
Icemelt, otherwise known as calcium chloride, is also a salt. It is very different from table salt and not used in culinary dishes. Calcium chloride is considered not to have the environmental impacts as sodium chloride or rock salt, and is considered to be much safer to pets when considering accidental ingestion. Additionally, calcium chloride is much less corrosive to automobiles and concrete
The main difference between rock salt and icemelt is rock salt is known as a de-icing agent and ice-melt is used as in anti-icing applications. The two terms anti-icing and de-icing are very different and can be confusing. Anti-icing agents prevent ice from forming and de-icers remove existing ice. The term “Icemelt” is used in many ice melting applications with the exception of rock salt. A clear understanding of of each of these applications is necessary foe when and how to use them.
Icemelt, otherwise known as calcium chloride, is also a salt. It is very different from table salt and not used in culinary dishes. Calcium chloride is considered not to have the environmental impacts as sodium chloride or rock salt, and is considered to be much safer to pets when considering accidental ingestion. Additionally, calcium chloride is much less corrosive to automobiles and concrete
The main difference between rock salt and icemelt is rock salt is known as a de-icing agent and ice-melt is used as in anti-icing applications. The two terms anti-icing and de-icing are very different and can be confusing. Anti-icing agents prevent ice from forming and de-icers remove existing ice. The term “Icemelt” is used in many ice melting applications with the exception of rock salt. A clear understanding of of each of these applications is necessary foe when and how to use them.
Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt) Is Used As Ice Melting
Sodium Chloride (CaCl) is applied as a de-icing agent. This means that it is applied to existing ice. The rock salt will melt through the ice as it is applied to the surface. Rock salt will only work if the outside temperature is above zero degrees. Rock salt is not very effective in temperatures that are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit
Calcium Chloride (Ice Melt) Used to Prevent Ice
Ice melt is use to prevent the formation of ice on sidewalks, walkways and parking lots and driveways. Not all ice melt is exactly the same. Some ice melts may use sodium acetate or magnesium chloride but all work in the same way. Ice melt will act as a shield or barrier on the surface to prevent from the ice forming on the surface. This help prevent any ice build up on applied surfaces.
Magnesium chloride is very similar to Calcium chloride. Magnesium chlorine will absorb moisture form the air and is considered exothermic. This reaction provides for a fast acting solution with mixed with salt or sand. Snow plow professionals may apply this directly to pavement as a liquid prior to the winter event. When applied in temperatures from 15 to negative 20 degrees is more effective than sodium chloride but less effective than than calcium chloride.
Magnesium chloride is very similar to Calcium chloride. Magnesium chlorine will absorb moisture form the air and is considered exothermic. This reaction provides for a fast acting solution with mixed with salt or sand. Snow plow professionals may apply this directly to pavement as a liquid prior to the winter event. When applied in temperatures from 15 to negative 20 degrees is more effective than sodium chloride but less effective than than calcium chloride.
So Which is Better? Rock Salt or Ice Melt?
- Ice melt will work in temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Most snow plowing professionals will use ice melt when around animals, pets and children
- Ice melt is not as corrosive, if applied correctly, and can cause less damage to applied surfaces.
- Ice melt can reduce injury to employees and customers. It is applied to the sidewalks and parking lots the prior to the winter storm, before ice conditions have a chance to form. This prevents ice buildup on the surface.
- Assuming the temperature is above 0 degrees, rock salt is a good option to apply along sidewalks and ice paths. The rock salt will immediately start melting the snow and the granules will reduce the slipperiness with coarseness of the salt.
- Rock salt is less expensive than ice melt
Neither of the two options are the answer to every ice prevention solution. Depending on the amount of snow, temperature outside, will determine your deicing strategy.
Understanding how rock salt and ice melt are best used can help you develop your snow removal strategy. Both types of ice removal techniques are used to provide ice free surfaces.
Understanding how rock salt and ice melt are best used can help you develop your snow removal strategy. Both types of ice removal techniques are used to provide ice free surfaces.
Best Commercial Antiicing and Ice Removal Service Near Me
Your customers can’t shop if they can’t reach the door. Don’t rely on old rusty old snowblowers, and call our local experts.
Stay warmer while indoors during the upcoming colder months. Westfield Landscape Co. contractors still offer your best winter services at lower costs.
Stay warmer while indoors during the upcoming colder months. Westfield Landscape Co. contractors still offer your best winter services at lower costs.
