Anti-Icers Vs. Deicers
Posted on: 15 March 2017
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A winter weather advisory often means that now is the time to take action to prevent icing over. However, some business owners wait until the last minute and end up fighting the battle with the wrong supplies. To help you prepare, here is what you need to know about anti-icers and deicers.
What Are Anti-Icers?
Anti-icers are used prior to the arrival of ice and snow to lower the chances of ice forming on surfaces. Some business owners turn to traditional anti-icers, such as liquid salt, but there are some considerations to make if you are planning to use it to prevent icing at your business.
One of the first things to remember is that you do not need to pile on the anti-icer. Anti-icers are used to keep the ice and snow from bonding to the surface. A light covering of the chemical can help accomplish this.
There are different forms of salt that you can use, including flakes, pellets, and liquids. Since you are looking to prevent the build up of ice, a liquid might be best. Flakes and pellets are better left for deicing.
You also need to apply it at the right time. If you wait until the snow or ice has already formed, you will not get the desired effect. Ideally, you should apply the anti-icer when the snow or ice first starts.
What Are Deicers?
Even if you take measures to prevent icing, it is possible that it can still occur. If the temperatures are too low, an anti-icer's effectiveness is diminished. Once the snow or ice has settled on the ground, you can turn to deicing to speed up the process of melting.
Unlike anti-icers, there are several different types of deicers available to use. The traditional rock salt is used more often, but it is not as effective on concrete and can even cause some damage to the surface.
If the anti-icer failed due to the extremely low temperatures, a chemical, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, could be best. The chemicals work by creating heat while dissolving the ice. Rock salt tends to sit on top of the surface, whereas calcium chloride and magnesium chloride penetrate the ice and snow.
Before the winter weather arrives, take the time to create a plan for anti-icing and deicing, such as with GMCO Corporation. The more prepared you are, the more likely it is that you will have to avoid shutting down your business for long periods of time due to icy conditions.