Deploying ice melt salt is one of the common rituals of winter in most parts of the U.S. Knowing the signs that you should salt an area can dramatically improve safety, reduce the risk to property, and speed up the recovery process after storms. Look for these four indications it might be time to buy and use ice melt salt.

Ice Formation

If there is clear evidence that ice is forming on surfaces, salt is a good way to start breaking it up. Driveway salt, for example, can break up ice in spots that might prevent you from getting traction when you're pulling your vehicle out. Even a thin layer of ice can radically reduce the coefficient of rolling friction between your tires and the driveway. Clearing the ice with salt will improve the contact between the road and the tires, providing critical friction when you need it most.

You should also consider putting down ice melt salt if you see a layer forming on a sidewalk, steps, or patio. The tread of your shoes will get the same friction boost on a less icy surface.

Pre-Emptive Salting

Folks typically watch the weather forecasts closely in the winter. If you know that the weather is going to take a turn for the colder, you might want to salt areas where surfaces often become dangerous. For example, if freezing rain appears to be coming in the middle of the night, you may want to put down some salt on the sidewalk and driveway. The salt will lower the freezing point of any water that strikes the surface. Consequently, the rain will be less likely to freeze on contact even if the temperature drops precipitously.

Persistently Hazardous Locations

Some spots on a property are always going to be more hazardous than others. For example, most people know of at least one sidewalk in their city where the water dripping off of nearby buildings seems to always freeze onto the sidewalk. These locations can be persistently dangerous, and it's wise to salt them frequently to reduce the associated risks.

Difficult Areas for Shoveling

Especially if a storm left behind heavy and wet snow, you might find that it packs a lot. This may make it difficult to shovel. Rather than fighting with the snow to clear a sidewalk or set of steps, you may want to treat it with salt. Once some of the snow has melted away, it may be easier to shovel or plow the area.

Reach out to a company like AAT Salt to learn more.