Rock salt is used to grit paths and roads during cold, icy or snowy weather. It is really important in making an area safer for people and cars, because it will allow them to have more grip by helping to prevent ice from forming. It is often used in busy public places, where there could be some serious accidents if it wasn’t for the use of rock salt.
During the cold weather, there will be lots of rock salt suppliers selling things like:
- Rock salt in palletts
- Grit bins
- Spreaders and hoppers
- Shovels
It is important that you buy rock salt from the right suppliers. It isn’t going to be cheap if you make the wrong choice. Lots of inexperienced companies will begin selling salt to try and capitalise on the cold weather. Don’t choose them – choose a company that has a reputation for selling quality supplies all year round. Many of them will also work abroad and will sell supplies to cold places all around the world.
How does rock salt work?
Rock salt works because it has a lower freezing point than water has. When rock salt is trodden into ice, there is a reaction between the salt and the water molecules, which will stop ice forming. It is important that the salt it crushed, either by people walking over the area or by vehicles driving around the area.
It’s also important that you take into account the temperatures where rock salt is going to be effective. It isn’t going to have much of an effect if it is colder than -5 degrees. It won’t really work at all at -10. However, it rarely gets this cold in the UK, and at temperatures higher than this, rock salt is going to work very well.
When should you spread rock salt?
It is a good idea to spread rock salt before temperatures become too low. Keep an eye on the weather and when freezing temperatures are forecast, spread salt before they occur. This helps to stop ice from forming straight away.
You should spread around 5000-7500g of salt per 500 square metres.
Brown rock salt of white rock salt?
Most salt suppliers will give you the choice between white and brown rock salt. Which should you choose? There is very little difference between the two types of salt, so it basically comes down to personal choice and aesthetics.
White rock salt is less obvious and will look less messy. Once the ice or snow has gone, it will leave a cleaner appearance and you won’t have to scrap up all the remaining salt. However, whilst there is bad weather, it might make it harder to see where the salt has been spread and to choose an appropriate route that is going to be safe.
Brown rock salt will be more obvious, so people will be able to see where to walk or drive. However, it will look a bit grubby and will leave the paths looking more unpleasant once the weather has got warmer and the salt is no longer needed.