Liquids & Snow Operations

Have you thought about adding liquids to your snow operations? It can be a little daunting but the overall benefit far outweighs the learning curve.

A number of years ago, I attended a SnowEx seminar by Daniel Gilliland. He is a pioneer in bringing liquids to the forefront in Ontario. I learned so much through his presentation and I want to share what I learned with you. 

There are four main reasons to use liquid strategies for Snow and Ice Control:

• Improve safety outcomes
• Reduce the environmental impact/property damage and the amount of chlorides going into the environment.
• Drastically reduce your materials, especially if you make your own salt brine.
• Using liquids to anti-ice prevents snow and ice from bonding to the pavement which results in a significant reduction to post-storm labour, equipment, and material clean up costs.

Did You Know?

• Slip & Fall claims related to winter maintenance account for more lawsuits than in any other sector except auto accidents.
• Nationwide studies have shown that an anti-icing approach has consistently resulted in achieving safe surfaces sooner and reducing accidents.
• Liquid de-icers are the only melting agents that can be applied to curbs, and to other hard to reach spaces.
• Best way to prevent black ice or frost

Liquid anti-ice application is all about being proactive rather than reactive. Traditional de-icing is about applying salt when the conditions are bad and we need to remove the ice. Using liquid brine in advance prevents the snow from bonding to the pavement, decreasing the ice build up. 

Liquids not only allow you to use a fraction of your usual salt, but also allow you to respond to consumer demands to be more sustainable. A key part of the process though, as with anything new you are doing, will be to educate yourself AND your clients. Be sure to start small, so that you gain confidence and experience as you implement this new way of doing things.

For more information you can also click HERE to read this article on 10 things to know about liquid de-icers from the Snow Magazine.

I’d also love to hear from you. Would you be interested in attending a liquids training seminar? Email me ([email protected]) and let me know!