Sodium chloride, or “road salt,” is a popular and effective product for accident prevention for parking lots in the winter. As a de-icing measure, it lowers the freezing temperature of water to help prevent ice buildup. There are various forms of salting products available.
Salting can help reduce slippery roads and dangerous parking lot conditions when the temperatures outside drop below zero. Snow removal and ice elimination are essential for commercial properties throughout the winter.
As a property manager, a member of a strata corporation, or the owner of a commercial building or lot, you’re responsible for the timely removal of snow from your lot. Anything you can do to prevent the surface conditions around your property from getting worse is highly advisable.
Professional de-icing and snow removal businesses bring invaluable expertise to the table. Their seasoned property maintenance technicians understand the exact formulations and amounts of salt to use and the ideal application times. This knowledge ensures effective and responsible salting practices.
Pre-Salting Preparation
Anything you can do to get the ice and snow to melt faster is a good thing during the winter months, especially when vehicular collisions and pedestrian slips and falls can be avoided.
Did you know that effective salting typically begins well before the season’s first flake of snow hits the ground?
Pre-salting occurs before snowfall to prep the surface, be it asphalt, concrete, pavers, bricks, or concrete. It slows the accumulation of snow and ice, making the eventual next clean-up much easier. When this is done when the temperatures are still above freezing, the more effective it will be.
Ideally, you want enough time for the salt to dissolve properly and form its protective layer. In most situations, you’ll need the salt to sit for at least an hour before any snowstorm.
Professional de-icing contractors will assess the intended surface area and calculate the appropriate amount of salt required based on the temperature, expected precipitation, and the type of product being used.
Pre-salting can involve different types of products, such as potassium chloride (safer for plants and concrete), sodium chloride (suitable for gaining traction), magnesium chloride (better for the environment), and calcium chloride (recommended for extreme temperatures). An eco-friendly saltwater brine solution can be sprayed up to 48 hours before a storm.
Unlike homeowners who may distribute store-bought de-icers by hand or with a shovel, winter salting professionals utilize commercial-grade spreaders for optimum ice control. Tools of the trade include:
- Walk-behind spreaders for sidewalks and pathways
- Tailgate spreaders which attach to vehicles for distribution across larger parking lots
- V-box spreaders which sit on the backs of vehicles for salting on large-scale jobs
- Anti-icing and de-icing spray systems on the backs of trucks
Amateurs often leave noticeable clumps and excess piles, which is a big waste of salt. As mentioned before, too much salt can damage nearby property and plant life come spring. The wrong choice of product for the location and weather conditions can lead to disappointing results.
An experienced de-icing/snow removal company will always know the best products based on the weather forecast and parking lot surface.
The Benefits of Rock Salt
There is a good reason why rock salting remains such a popular service throughout the winter months: it is highly effective at keeping people safe. However, there are other reasons why rock salt remains so in demand.
- It is cost-effective
- With the proper equipment, it’s quick to disperse
- It significantly reduces the chances of vehicular damage, injuries, and fatalities
- It cuts down on the amount of shovelling and snow removal needed
- It prevents ice and snow from sticking, unlike sand, which only adds traction
- It can help melt ice in temperatures below freezing
- It can be used on fallen snow, unlike anti-icing de-icers (brine solutions)
Timing and Frequency of Salting
As a motorist in the Lower Mainland (or anywhere in Canada), news of an upcoming blizzard in the forecast can be stressful. However, if your job involves salting, it simply means you’re going to have a busy week. Preparing all the driveways and parking lots is a big responsibility.
When to salt and how often to do it obviously depends on the weather conditions, the temperature on the day, and the type of surface to be serviced. As a property maintenance professional, your timing and formulation must be spot on.
Anti-icing pre-treatment involves applying a de-icing brine solution well before the snow arrives.
Rock salting is ideally performed 1-2 hours before the snow falls. Time is needed for the salt to dissolve, but as a commercial snow and ice removal service, this isn’t always possible. That said, rock salt can also be applied while it snows, but it may not be as effective. Ideally, some precipitation must be on the ground for it to work.
When done correctly, the covering will prevent ice from sticking to the treated walking or driving surface. A layer of rock salt should also be applied after any big snow removal job. Salting could be performed once or twice a day when the weather is frigid for long periods.
In the end, the more snow and ice there is, the greater the frequency of your salting.
Safety Precautions
Salting is not just about maintaining access to your lot. It’s a responsibility to protect pedestrians, motorists, and property. When performing tasks like clearing commercial parking lots, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Crews should be confident in their preparation, strategy, and the execution of their work.
Although most people don’t think much about it, salting can be potentially hazardous for those who work with it close up.
Rock salt for parking lots is a little different than the product you add to your french fries.
Improper handling of rock salt and de-icing solutions can be dangerous. Using too much at one location in one go increases the amount of time it will stick around. Although salt on the ground doesn’t bother most people, it may be a concern for people walking their pets. This is why you should always wash off your dog’s paws after they come inside after a winter walk.
Too much salt around your property also increases the risk of indoor salt damage to carpeting and flooring when it gets tracked in.
Excess salting can also damage people’s vehicles via the rust it contributes to.
If spread in a careless, haphazard manner, salt can damage adjacent plant roots and soil. Salt also poses the threat of contaminating nearby water systems.
Teams in charge of clearing large parking lots, parkades, building courts, and driveways must wear the proper protective gear.
Dry rock salt can irritate the skin and cause rashes. Wet rock salt can cause “salt burn,” which may require medical treatment. Excess inhalation of rock salt dust fumes can lead to an irritated throat and possible stomach upset.
A company specializing in professional snow and ice removal will have strict safety protocols for handling and distributing rock salt and de-icing products. Winter salting professionals will also choose the most appropriate product and quantities for the location and have the right tools for spreading it safely.
Snow and ice removal companies with experience in pressure washing, landscaping, and other commercial upkeep will have on-site protocols in place for each client. These rules ensure each parking lot’s safety, accessibility, and the longevity of its pavement.
Post-Salting Maintenance
Post-salting on parking lots occurs once the snow has been removed. However, there’s more involved than simply covering the cleared areas with rock salt and driving away.
Proper maintenance of commercial parking lots includes:
- A thorough inspection of the lot to see if any areas were missed
- Checking the pavement for any signs of cracking or potholes that may have developed over the season
- Consistent monitoring of the weather conditions
- Regular evaluations of the salt or de-icing agents required for the specific conditions
- Tracking of the salt usage for each property
- Inspection of the property’s drainage systems for potential blockages
- Ensuring bystanders maintain a safe distance while work is performed
- Documenting each visit
Effective post-salting maintenance can help maintain a safe and accessible parking lot. It also ensures that the lot remains in good shape when spring arrives.
Conclusion
Maintaining optimum driving conditions around parking lots in the coldest months is critical. It’s especially important in the Lower Mainland, where drivers aren’t used to winter driving conditions. Remember, snow tires alone can’t prevent those unpredictable winter fender benders.
And when discussing icy parking lots for motorists, don’t forget the threat that slippery surfaces pose to people once they leave their cars.
Unfortunately, when the snowy weather arrives, you can’t always count on your local municipality to cover every road leading to your property. And when it comes to the parking lot at your site, you’re responsible for its upkeep all winter.
CanWest Property Services offers reliable snow removal and de-icing services throughout the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. With over two decades in business, the team at CanWest has the equipment and experience to keep your property clean, safe, and free of concern.
Whether it’s dealing with black ice or the fallout from a major blizzard, leave the salting, shovelling, and re-salting to us.
Contact us today for pricing or to join our list of satisfied clients. Experience the relief and peace of mind of knowing your snow and ice removal is guaranteed this season.