What are the correct application rates for the different types of ice melt products? This question is very common among first time users of ice melting products every winter season. This article provides specific recommended application rates for ice melt products consisting of commonly used salts. Additionally, the article further explains application best practices.

Some ice melts provide the recommended application rates on the box/bag, so this would be the first place to look for the ice melt to use. If a user has yet to purchase a product, contacting a potential supplier would be the next best approach to getting recommended application rates. The author of this article has received many phone calls and emails, so this article is published:

There are five salts and two non-salts that are most commonly used to melt ice and snow. The salts are calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). The non-salts are urea and glycol. The author of this article has published many articles that describe in detail the advantages/disadvantages of the different salts/no salts. You may want to google the word “ice melt products” along with the author’s name for more information.

For products that contain primarily calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, such as “Excel” and “Road Runner” brands, respectively, it is recommended to use 2 to 4 ounces per square yard. For cheaper combination products that use sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, such as “Green Scapes” and “Traction Melt” brands, it is recommended to use 4 to 5 ounces per square yard. For rock salt that is 100% uncoated sodium chloride, it is recommended to use 6 to 7 ounces per square yard. CMA is an expensive organic salt that is mainly used at airports. Liquid CMA is replacing glycol as the product of choice for aircraft de-icing because it is better for the environment. Many ice melt mixes use small amounts of CMA to coat the salt crystals. The use of CMA coatings does not change the recommended application rates.

For ice melts that contain primarily urea and/or potassium chloride, recommended application rates vary considerably and are often based more on marketing than real world experience. These products can easily be over-applied in an effort to melt the ice, as they have an “effective melting point” of +25 F, which means the solution will refreeze when the air temperature drops below +25 F. Excessive applications of urea and potassium Chloride products are known to cause fish kills in our waterways.

It is very important to note that the above recommended application rates are best used for planning purposes to estimate user costs for a general job. When it comes to the actual application of the ice melt product, the user should also consider the following best practices.

• Apply the product before the big snow storms arrive. Ice melting products work best when used only to break the bond of the ice/snow to the pavement. This allows for easy and complete removal with shovels/ploughs. Many, if not all, benefits of the product will be wasted if applied over several inches of snow. If you miss the big snowstorm, shovel or till first and then apply ice melter.
• Apply product with an adjustable rate spreader rather than simply throwing by hand or with a shovel. Avoid overlapping large areas as as the product dissolves it will expand the coverage area.
• Apply the product according to the severity of each storm. If freezing rain will fall before the snow arrives, the upper end of the application range will be necessary. That is why the recommended application rates are listed with a range from low to high.
• Apply the product that is most economical but effective for weather forecasting. Rock salt solutions will refreeze when the temperature drops below +25 F overnight. Know the “Effective Melting Temperature” of the products you apply. Examples by brand name: “Excel” is minus 25 F, “Roadrunner” is minus 15 F, “Green Scapes” is minus 10 F, and “Traction Melt” is 0 degrees F.

“Watch out for vegetation” is the final comment that applies to the recommended application rates. Application rates higher than necessary and spreading salts too close to vegetation will risk damaging or losing vegetation. This includes knowledge of saline runoff and the location where large piles of snow are removed. Repetitive ice/snow plowing of the pavement in the same spot will also result in a large amount of salt buildup in the soil.