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HOMEOWNERS ARE LIABLE FOR ICE AND SNOW REMOVAL

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During the winter months, it’s a familiar site to see shopping centers and business owners clearing the ice and snow from pathways, parking lots and entrances. It’s a liability issue should someone slip and fall and injure themselves entering their business. Homeowners also face similar liabilities if they fail to take adequate steps to remove such slippery hazards from their property.

Deice-Driveway

Homeowners are responsible for limiting dangers on their property, and in some cases, this can also extend to public sidewalks abutting your home. In some localities, governments have given fines for homeowners who fail to clear the ice and snow. County and municipal agencies have written policies directing property owners to remove accumulated ice and snow “within 24 hours of the end of the snowstorm.” Penalties for property owners not complying can range from nominal tickets, to misdemeanours punishable by up to 90 days in jail, to fines of up to $500.

Shovelling snow is simple enough, but ice removal can be a tricky matter. Nothing works better to remove or prevent ice from forming than an Ice Melter containing Sodium Chloride, Salt. Ice Melters lower the water’s freezing point, the temperature at which it changes from a liquid to a solid and vice versa. Melting the ice and snow directly at the pavement is the most effective way to clear off the surface. This process, preventing water from freezing in the first place, is called anti-icing. It is best achieved by putting the Ice Melter down on the sidewalk when a freeze or a snowfall is expected. In contrast, melting water already frozen is called deicing and in this case an Ice Melter is applied once ice appears. It still works, but is less efficient than anti-icing.

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Laws regarding ice and snow clearing vary by region and from locality to locality, but most mandate some action must be taken within a reasonable time period, often 24 hours after it stops snowing.

 

Contact Kissner Milling Company Ltd. today for all of your Ice Melter needs.

148 Manitou Drive, Suite 301, Kitchener, ON N2C 1L3

Phone: 1-800-434-8248 | Fax: 1-877-434-8250

Email: info@kissner.com

Website: www.kissner.com

Ice Melt 101: What you need to know about ice melt

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When used correctly, ice melt is a powerful tool that can help keep ice from forming and reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Keep these key points in mind when using ice melt:

  • Ice-melt compounds are only effective down to a specific temperature
  • The temperature of the air, pavement, and the type of ice-melt compound used will affect the rate at which snow and ice meltsslick-sidewalk

Knowing what to use

It’s important that your organization assess your needs for application of ice-melt compounds.

Consider:

  • Where around your facility to use ice melt
  • Whether the area has access to traffic and sunlight, which affects the overall effectiveness of ice-melt compounds
  • All the methods for treating areas
  • Cost

What’s the science behind ice melt?

Ice-melting compounds lower the freezing point of water. These products attract moisture to themselves to form a liquid brine solution, which can generate heat and melt the ice. The amount of ice that is melted by a given quantity of ice-melt compound will decrease as the temperature of the mixture is lowered. As the ice melts, the compound solution’s concentration is reduced and the freezing point of the water starts to increase until such time that more ice-melt compound is spread on the ice and water.

The lowest melting point of the water and ice-melt compound solution is termed the “eutectic” temperature. At this limiting eutectic temperature, solutions of the ice-melt compound aren’t effective and the melting action on the ice will cease.

The quantity of ice-melt compound needed to lower the freezing point of ice to the eutectic temperature is called the “eutectic concentration.” At this lowest temperature, the rate at which ice melts is very slow. When this melting action slows, adding more compound has no impact on lowering the eutectic temperature, thus, the ice melts no faster.

salt-vs-snow

Tips for using ice melt

  • Do not use on concrete less than two years old. Freeze-thaw damage may occur.
  • Know what product to use by understanding its composition and lowest surface temperature at which it remains effective. Use an infrared heat gun to determine the surface temperature.
  • Apply in advance of a winter storm. Early attention before a storm will help prevent the formation of ice. When snow starts falling, the ice melt will create a brine solution, helping to prevent ice from bonding to the surface.
  • Disperse ice melt properly. Contrary to popular opinion, using large amounts of ice melt does not affect the speed which ice and snow melts. Using too much product can damage surfaces and harm the environment.
  • Use a mechanical spreader for accurate coverage. The proper coverage rate is about one cup per square yard. This coverage will fan out and undercut the ice, so that you can shovel the walkway clear.
  • Continue to disperse ice melt during a storm.  This helps to prevent snow from becoming hard-packed on surfaces.

Ice melt plays an essential role in many winter safety programs. Select the right ice melt and apply correctly to reduce the chance for slips and falls this winter.

Contact Kissner Milling Company Ltd. today for all of your Ice Melter needs.

148 Manitou Drive, Suite 301, Kitchener, ON N2C 1L3

Phone: 1-800-434-8248 | Fax: 1-877-434-8250

Email: info@kissner.com

Website: www.kissner.com

How to Apply Ice Melters

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When to Apply Ice Melters?

anti-icing

Anti-Icing

Anti-Icing – Proactive application of ice melter to surfaces prior to a storm. Anti-icers are applied before precipitation begins to prevent the ice from building on walkways. By applying an ice melter before a snowfall event, you can prevent the ice/snow from bonding to the surface area and simplify removal of ice and snow.

de-icing

De-Icing

De-Icing – Apply ice melter to existing ice and snow. Deicers are made from a variety of mineral salts and work on the chemistry principle that salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water. As the chemicals react they form a brine solution, which penetrates the ice and snow to form a barrier between the surface area. This allows for easier removal of ice and snow.

Applying Ice Melters

  • Too little ice melter will not control ice and snow as intended.
  • Too much ice melter is wasteful and potentially harmful to the environment, resulting in burnt vegetation and corroded hardscapes.
  • Some products can be toxic to both vegetation and applicator.
  • Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product and use only as directed.

Application Rates

Application-Rate

Application Rate

For best results, apply ice melter using a push type or hand held spreader. It is very effective; a small amount will go a long way! Depending on the amount of ice and snow present, sprinkle the ice melter on ice and snow at the rate of 1 lb. to 4.5 lb. per 540 ft². Shovel off excess slush/water, and then reapply to the heavy areas of ice. Do not overspread. Apply evenly and avoid piling.

Ice Melter Granular Size

Small granules melt quickly, and a large amount of them can get the melting process off to a fast start.

Larger particles have a comparatively slower melting action. They will likely penetrate through an ice layer, but may not be completely dissolved into an underlying brine layer. The unused materials can reduce melting efficiency and increase cost.

The most effective ice melters use consistent, medium sized granules which can bore through the surface and maximize brine formation. This breaks the ice to surface bond, allowing easy removal of the remaining ice.

Before and After Application

Before-&-After

Granular Size

Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Wet/Heavy Snow: Apply as soon as wet/heavy snow begins falling to prevent ice from bonding. When more than 1 inch accumulates, shovel snow and reapply if necessary.
  • Sleet/Freezing Rain: Apply ice melter early to prevent ice build-up.
  • Dry Powdery Snow: Can be shoveled or swept, and may not require the use of ice melters.

Contact Kissner Group Inc. today for all of your Ice Melter needs.

32 Cherry Blossom Road, Cambridge, ON  N3H 4R7.

Phone: 1-800-434-8248 | Fax: 1-877-434-8250.

Email: info@kissner.com

Website: www.kissner.com