How to Select the Right Ice Melt Products for Your Business
It’s your responsibility as a business owner to keep your property safe by using salt for snow and ice control. However, the selection of ice melt/salt hinges on cost, surface area, temperature, and many other factors. To aid your decision, the Gunther Salt team broke down the pros and cons of our ice melt products. Read on to find the right product for slick roads, sidewalks, and more.
Addressing Misconceptions
When assessing ice melt, remember that they are not the sole source of surface damage. Water naturally seeps into voids in concrete, asphalt, and other materials — when the temperature drops, water freezes and expands. Once the ice thaws, surfaces gain potholes, cracks, and other damage we associate with winter.
Ice control products do not wreak havoc on your facilities when used properly. Regardless of which you choose, it’s critical that you avoid common mistakes. Always apply products evenly and sweep away all excess ice melt products after a storm.
Assessing Gunther Salt Products
Ice Control Salt
Using rock salt for snow and ice control is fairly common. As a naturally occurring mineral, it may be applied to most asphalt surfaces, such as slick roads, driveways, and parking lots. This product is a cost-effective solution for those who do not expect extreme temperatures throughout winter. It’s most effective at melting ice at temperatures above 15°F, but it may still work down to 5°F.
Ice control salt may be the best choice for business owners who need to remove ice from a large surface area such as a parking lot. In addition to 50# and 25# bags, Gunther Salt offers rock salt in large quantity orders, such as 25-ton dump trucks and 1-ton tote bags.
Blue Blast®
Blue Blast is one of our most popular ice melt products for snow and ice control. It contains Louisiana rock salt, liquid magnesium chloride ice melt and blue coloring. Effective down to 0°F, this product is a great option for business owners wanting a product that is easy to see and works at lower temperatures than straight salt. Blue Blast has a corrosion inhibitor that limits its impact on machinery, vehicles, and more.
Beyond that, it has a water-soluble blue dye that enables you to see where the product spreads — giving you the peace of mind that the product has been applied properly. This option is considerably less expensive than calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
Heat Blast®
Heat Blast premium ice melt product effective below 0°F. It’s a blend of magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. Potassium chloride, commonly used as a fertilizer, is generally considered safer for plants and vegetation.
Compared to ice melts like calcium chloride, Heat Blast is a budget-friendly blend for snow and ice control. It may withstand extreme temperatures, remaining effective down to -5° F. This option may be a good choice for business owners expecting extreme temperatures and slick roads, but don’t have the budget for expensive pellet products.
Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride Pellets
Calcium Chloride pellets and Magnesium Chloride pellets are great solutions for those seeking specialty ice melt products. Each product is fast-acting in extreme weather conditions, working to -30° F and -25° F, respectively. As pelletized products, these options act faster than flake products — ensuring your property is safe shortly after use.
Before you purchase these higher-priced, specialty chlorides for snow and ice control, there are a few key differences to keep in mind:
Calcium chloride works a bit faster than magnesium chloride.
Calcium chloride may have a longer effectiveness rate on slick roads.
Magnesium chloride pellets leave little residue behind, making cleanup easy.
Magnesium chloride is slightly less corrosive, keeping it moderately safer for lawns, people, and pets.
Order Ice Melt Products
Gunther Salt Company is a trusted salt partner for businesses, hospitals, school districts, military bases, commercial snow plowers, municipalities, retailers, and other institutions. As you prepare for winter weather, we’re ready to provide you with quality ice melt products in the exact quantity you need — whether that be bags, pallets or bulk salt roders..
To place your ice melt order, please contact us at sales@gunthersalt.com or orders@gunthersalt.com. Alternatively, our salt for snow and ice control may be ordered over the phone by calling 314-241-7075 or 800-873-7258.
