If you own or manage a small business or office, you know how important it is to keep your sidewalks and parking lot ice-free. Even a tiny patch of ice can cause a customer or visitor to slip and fall, injuring them and leaving your company liable for an expensive lawsuit. However, ice melt products can be harsh to your outdoor and indoor surfaces. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure that the damage is minimal.
What Are Ice Melt Products?
Ice melt products are deicers that lower the freezing point of water. They work to form a barrier between an outdoor surface like concrete and the ice, making it much easier to remove. Most products could in pellet form that can be easily sprinkled on your walkways and other surfaces.
Tips for Using Ice Melt Products
Remember that less is more. You might think that the more product you use, the better the results. However, with ice melt products, the opposite is true. A little product can go a long way, and the less you use, the less potential for damage.
Make sure that your concrete surfaces are sealed. Ice melt can harm concrete surfaces, especially if they aren’t properly sealed. Since concrete is porous, unsealed surfaces will absorb the ice melt product, leading to pitting over time.
Protect your interior surfaces. There’s virtually no way to prevent ice melt products from getting tracked into your building on visitors’ and employees’ shoes. However, you can take steps to avoid the ice melt from damaging your floor covering. A coarse mat outside your doorway can help get most of the product off of shoes before people enter. Additionally, mopping up moisture or sweeping regularly can help keep the product from staining wood, tile, or carpet.
Partner With Us for Comprehensive Snow and Ice Management Services
DMC SNOW Management has been helping business owners like you with their snow management needs since 1996. Contact us to learn more about snow plowing, snow management, and deicing services today.
