Snow salt

What is road salt?

Road salt is a chemical compound used to remove snow and ice from roads and sidewalks. It is usually composed of sodium chloride, although other salts like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride can also be used. Road salt is essential for keeping roads and sidewalks safe during winter periods.

Action of road salt

Road salt works by reducing the freezing point of water , which allows snow and ice to melt more quickly. When road salt is spread on a snowy or icy surface, it dissolves in water and creates a saline solution . This saline solution has a lower freezing point than pure water, which melts snow and ice more quickly. Road salt can also help prevent ice formation by preventing water from solidifying again after melting.

Snow removal salt, de-icing salt, what type of chloride?

There are different formulations of road salt. Sodium chloride is the most commonly used type because it is effective and economical . However, it can be corrosive to vehicles and infrastructure. Other types of salt, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride , are more expensive but less corrosive. They are often called de-icers because they are very effective on ice . They are often used in environments where corrosion is a major concern, such as underground parking lots or sensitive surfaces.

Application, use, storage of road salt

For effective snow removal, it is recommended to use a snow salt spreader . A road salt spreader is a device that allows salt to be spread evenly over a surface . This ensures even distribution of road salt, allowing snow and ice to melt more quickly. Using a road salt spreader also helps reduce salt waste , which can be economical.
Concerning storage , humidity is the enemy to fight . Salt bins and bags are commonly used to store road salt. These must be waterproof to prevent moisture from penetrating . It is recommended to store road salt in a dry, cool place to preserve its quality.

Staff equipment and user safety

In the event of a slippery area, suitable signage such as slippery floor signs or limitation barriers will prevent users from danger. Concerning the equipment of the staff, it will be necessary to provide high visibility clothing and more particularly parkas in order to combat the cold. Sweeping the area regularly withprofessional outdoor brooms such as road brooms or street brooms allows you to rough up the snow removal and limit the quantity of salt to be spread.