2018-09-24

Deicers have been used by a large number of people to combat ice on their sidewalks or around their compounds successfully. Over the past few years, there has been the introduction of the liquid de-icers. In the past, salt has been used as the main way of removing ice in most of the public areas as well as on private property. The liquid de-icer is used as a beforehand means of dealing with ice because it is applied to the surface before the storm has taken place. The liquid is now more favored than salt in combating the ice. Here are four reasons why liquid deicer is better than salt in removing ice.

1. It is cheaper



Salt has always been bought in bulk when trying to combat ice. Contractors used to charge for salt using a ton as the standard measure. The liquid de-icer is paid for in terms of application because it is used beforehand. When using the salt, due to its availability, those that are tasked with its application tend to be overzealous in its spreading. They do not pay close attention to the pounds that are being used. It is in human nature for them to spend more when more is available. For the liquid deicer, it is applied in small quantities on the surface before a storm takes place and for this reason, it is used in small quantities because it is easily trackable.

2. Liquid deicer causes less damage

Liquid deicer can be applied at a far more efficient rate than solid salt. The liquid is sprayed thus, it can easily spread due to its liquid form. The salt has to be spread manually and this leads to more salt being applied. The effect of this excess salt being used is that there is damage to plants, interiors as well as buildings. Sodium in the salt is dissolved and drained away to the vegetation that is around the roads. The effect is that the trees and shrubs eventually dry out in the spring and this could have an adverse effect on the environment. Salt also erodes the surfaces of buildings because it can crystallize in stone and lead to erosion. The same can be said of interior décor such as tiles when salt is stepped on, and the person enters the house.

3. Price and supply of salt

When there is winter, the demand for salt goes high because the government institutions are given priority. The rest of the people are left to scramble for the remaining salt, and this eventually drives the price up due to the high demand.

4. Lower labor cost

When applying the liquid de-icer, it takes a smaller number of people as compared to applying salt. Salt is applied using bags, and this will require a large number of workers to execute.

In conclusion, it is apparent that liquid de-icers are superior to salt when it comes to removing snow from the roads and sidewalks or any other area that it may be a nuisance.