How To Deal With Icy Surfaces

Rock salt and sand help treat icy surfaces

As winter rolls in, thoughts turn to icy conditions on roadways, walkways and driveways.  One of the biggest concerns at this time of year is how people will get around, whether on foot or on four wheels, without being a victim of slippery surfaces.

When it comes to major roads, state departments of transportation are in charge of keeping roadways as ice-free as possible.  This is done by laying a salt brine solution comprised of rock salt and water before winter precipitation falls to prevent icing on surfaces in advance.  Sand may also be spread on road surfaces to increase traction.  Keep in mind that while a salt solution will help to melt any frozen precipitation (by increasing the freezing point of water), sand does not melt ice but rather improves traction by introducing an abrasive material on the road so it’s not so slick.

In addition to roadways, there are many other surfaces that need to be treated when winter weather rolls in.  Business owners and property managers must take care of parking lots, private entrance roads and internal roads, sidewalks, pathways, steps and stoops.  Taking a chance that someone may slip and fall is not an option and therefore any place that will be having people walking or driving on or near the property must take the necessary steps by using rock salt, chemical de-icers or sand to keep surfaces as safe as possible.

Even homeowners are not immune from having to deal with winter weather.  Sure, it would be nice to just cozy up to a fire and a good movie on a cold and snowy day, but if there is a sidewalk in front of your house, there is likely an ordinance where you live that dictates how quickly you have to remove snow and keep it as free from ice as possible.   If you’ll need to get your car out anytime soon, you’ll also have to clear your driveway of snow and ice so you have a way to get out.  Simply walking from the inside of your home to your car can be hazardous in these conditions, so for your own safety and that of your family, you’ll want to make sure you treat the surfaces so they’re not slippery.

While municipalities and commercial property owners and managers may use large quantities of rock salt and/or sand to treat surfaces, most homeowners will instead opt to head to the local home improvement store to pick up a bag or bucket of a de-icing material.  This can be purchased in small quantities so that it can be used only as needed.  Larger surfaces such as parking lots and roadways, in contrast, generally require bulk delivery of sand and/or salt that can be loaded into trucks to be spread across large surfaces.

If you live or work in NJ or NY, now is the time to get yourself prepared to deal with icy surfaces so that you limit the likelihood of accident or injury.  Rock salt, chemical de-icers and sand can be the best means for ensuring that the winter precipitation looks pretty as it falls but doesn’t result in slips and falls.

For more information about bulk delivery of sand or rock salt in NJ or Staten Island, call ATAK Trucking at 917-912-2900.

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