Anti-Icing Before a Snowstorm
With a major winter storm bearing down on New England for Saturday, snow and ice contractors are using the next few days to prepare. Using anti-icing has become a common way to be proactive in preparation for snowstorms. Anti-icing is the process of applying liquid bring before the precipitation starts to fall. This prevents the development of snow and ice bonding to the pavement’s surface. Salt brine is effective at a temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Rhode Island DOT stops using it when ground temps are at 25 Fahrenheit and lower. They will add Magic-0 to the brine to allow it to work to lower temperatures with longer-lasting results.
Research on anti-icing has shown that applications of it can cut the cost of keeping a road safe by 90 percent. Compared to traditional deicing, using anti-icing before a snowstorm is a great way to save time and labor. Another advantage of using anti-icing before snowstorms is that road surfaces will return to normal at a quicker rate. It is also better for the environment because it reduces the spread of airborne salt particles.
Applying anti-icing before a snowstorm can also increase safety. Because the application of liquid brine prevents the formation of bonded ice to a surface, it can help ensure a safe walking surface for both pedestrians and motorists. Slip and fall hazards from ice can increase the cost of liability insurance for a business. Applying the liquid brine pre snowstorm on dangerous areas such as steep grades, bridges, and sharp curves can prevent motor vehicle accidents.
There are times when anti-icing should not be used. It should not be used if any rain is predicted because the pretreatment may wash away before it can become effective. If the liquid brine is washed into any waterways, it can become detrimental to the environment. Salt brine needs to be mixed at a rate of 23.3%, too much salt and application can freeze on pavement and in nozzles and hoses of trucks. Using too much salt and the same thing will happen. Thankfully, our liquids do not need to be mixed so it takes the guesswork out of applying the liquid.
Middlesex Ice Control is located in Middletown, CT and we offer two types of salt brine that can be used for anti-icing. ProMelt Magic-0 is a premium liquid de-icer that is economical and delivers superior performance in colder environments with a eutectic point of approximately -49°F. Magic-0 is a versatile effective winter liquid composed of a blend of magnesium and feed-grade molasses suitable for a variety of applications. Magic-0 can be used to treat rock salt to make Magic Salt, applied straight for anti-icing and deicing, used at the point of application to heat up salt, and added to salt brine to allow it to work to lower temperatures and last longer.
We also offer ProMelt Ultra 1000. ProMelt Ultra 1000 is a high-performance de-icing liquid made from a refined corn carbohydrate derivative blended with magnesium chloride. ProMelt Ultra 1000 inhibited has a eutectic to -85f. It is a versatile anti-icing, de-icing and pre-wetting agent that delivers unparalleled performance in colder environments. Both types of liquids that we carry are very low in corrosion compared to salt brine.