After a big storm hits, the first vehicles out on the streets and parking lots throughout the city are snow plows and salt spreaders.
In order for citizens to be able to safely drive to work, school and stores, rock salt must first be applied to all major paved surfaces.
Without this type of service, the entire locale would remain out of commission. Because yet another harsh winter is predicted to be ahead of us, it’s especially important for cities, businesses, schools, churches and hospitals to stock up on a healthy supply of commercial rock salt well in advance.
Do you know what you should be looking for in your ice melting materials and where to purchase them? By following these useful suggestions, you’ll be ready to handle anything throughout the coming winter months.
What to Look for from Commercial Rock Salt
Depending on your specific needs and desires, you should consider the following when selecting rock salt:
- Melting Power– One of the first things you should be aware of when purchasing commercial rock salt is how fast-acting it is. In many cases, it’s important to melt any existing ice as quickly as possible and prevent future ice from forming as a means of keeping streets and parking lots safe for drivers. The faster you can get people back out on the road, the faster the city can be back up and running. In addition, be aware of your local climate. In very cold regions, look for products that work in temperatures well below freezing. In more moderate climates, it’s not necessary to purchase ice melts that are effective in sub-zero temperatures, as this will only increase your cost.
- Safety Factor – Are there safety concerns for children and animals in the area(s) where the rock salt will be spread? If so, it’s important to look for a product that is manufactured with a safety coating to prevent injuries or illness.
- Eco-Friendliness – These days, many of us are concerned with protecting the environment. Certain ice melting products have been known to cause damage to vegetation or disturb the groundwater supply. To protect plants around the property and do your part to care for the planet, it’s wise to look into using a specially formulated eco-friendly rock salt.
- Non-Tracking – For commercial businesses, schools and large organizations, heavy foot traffic can cause rock salt to be tracked indoors, creating a big mess and possible damages to flooring. If this is a concern, be sure to work with a rock salt that is comprised of magnesium chloride or calcium chloride as these are typically the least prone to tracking.
Best Practices for Application
Proper application techniques are the key to getting the most out of your commercial rock salt and using it safely. You may think that application is as simple as pouring the ice melting material over the intended surface, but failure to read the manufacturer’s instructions can be a grave mistake.
For starters, the instructions may indicate that certain products cannot be used in specific areas, such as rooftops. You may also need to take safety precautions when spreading the material, like wearing thick gloves to avoid chemical burns.
Finally, you absolutely must adhere to provisions pertaining to how much rock salt should be spread for a given area. Overspreading will not improve the effectiveness of the material, but will cause you to waste rock salt and money.
Proper Storage
When purchasing commercial rock salt, a bulk supply is typically stocked up in advance so that it’s readily available when needed. Because of this, it’s important for businesses and contractors to be aware of how to properly store the materials until it’s needed.
Rock salt can easily be damaged by moisture, so your storage area must be dry and carefully sealed to protect against any runoff. Opened bag or jugs of ice melt are best contained inside an unused trash can. Be sure to also maintain storage conditions at or above 20 degrees Fahrenheit as clumping can occur in temperatures below this point.
Where to Buy Commercial Rock Salt
There are a number of different characteristics that you should be looking for when purchasing commercial rock salt. As a result, it’s important that you find a supplier that offers a wide variety of different ice melting materials so that you can find the right product for your specific needs.
Braen Supply carries a diverse inventory of commercial rock salt. Our expert staff is very familiar with each product, enabling them to answer any questions that you may have. We offer the most competitive prices on all of our ice melts so that you can stay on budget this winter. Braen Supply bulk delivers commercial rock salt to areas throughout NJ, NY, PA and CT.
