Calculating Business Risks

Posted on: 16 August 2019

With summer wrapping up and autumn and winter quickly approaching, you might be thinking about how to create a more comfortable, safe environment around your home. Ice melt products are readily available starting in the fall, making it easy to stock up on the supplies you will need during a massive snowstorm. Here are three tips you should remember when applying anti-icing agents and how they can help.

1.    Apply It In Layers

While it is important to salt the ground after the snow has started to accumulate, it is more effective to apply salt in layers, starting before the storm. Pay attention to the weather during the fall and winter, and lay down a layer of salt before bad weather blows through.

When the snow starts falling, pay attention to whether or not it starts to stick. As soon as it starts to accumulate, go out and lay another layer of salt down, facilitating fast and efficient snow melting. Try to avoid putting down large amounts of de-icers, since overdoing it could harm concrete, asphalt, and nearby trees or shrubs.

2.    Watch Out For Landscaping

Since the first snowstorms of the season may occur while your lawn and landscaping still look decent for the year, steer clear of applying salt or other anti-icing products around sensitive plants.

If you accidentally get salt on grass or other plants during sprinkling, get a broom and gently sweep it back onto the sidewalk, driveway, or patio. In addition to using the salt to melt ice appropriately, moving it away from plants can help to keep them healthy, since too much salt could disrupt their growth or kill them altogether.

3.    Consider Mixing Materials

While anti-icing products are perfect for removing thick layers of ice and snow, they don't always provide a great deal of traction, especially if they are in an area where people will be walking or cars will be driving by — as the salt chunks can become crushed.

To improve traction and prevent slide-outs, trips, and falls, consider mixing anti-icing products with other abrasives such as sand or fine gravel. If the sand or gravel persists throughout the winter, you can always sweep it up in the spring.

With the right amount of anti-icing material and a commitment to safety, you can keep your home, driveway, and sidewalks safe for everyone who uses your home. If you struggle with mobility or don't feel comfortable taking care of your own anti-icing needs, consider working with a professional team of anti-icing experts like Seattle Snow.