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All ice melting compounds are designed to
work on the same principle:
When broadcast, each particle of de-icer bores a little hole
through the ice or snow and as it bores it forms a solution. When the solution
reaches the pavement, it spreads out under the ice and snow and breaks the bond
between the ice and pavement. This allows the ice to be easily removed by some
mechanical device designed for that purpose.
The proper use and application of chemical
de-icers, although a simple process, seems to be associated with a number of
misconceptions. The most common ones being:
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Misconception: Application should be heavy enough to
chemically melt all the snow and ice present.
Fact: This approach is probably the most common
cause for tracking problems and damage
to trees and shrubs. Only enough ice melter to bore through the ice and
break the bond between the pavement and the ice should be applied.
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Misconception: The heat that is generated by the
ice melter is what melts the snow and ice.
Fact: The heat generated is a coincidental
property of the compound and is quickly dissipated under normal conditions. In
fact, some ice melters such as urea, turn cold when forming a solution and
still perform the job of snow and ice melting.
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Misconception: The cracking and popping sound is
the ice melter breaking up the ice.
Fact: The popping sound is only associated with
surface expansion. In fact, surface expansion on concrete is the main source of
concrete damage.
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Misconception: If the snow and ice melter appears
to melt on contact, it is working.
Fact: It is important to remember before trying
to mechanically remove the ice to allow sufficient time for the ice melter to
bore through the ice and break the bond between the pavement and ice. At
25°F, it takes about 5-10 minutes to penetrate ¼ inch of ice, plus
the time for the solution to spread out under the ice and loosen the ice from
the pavement.
Don't be misled by snow and ice melters which appear to work
quickly. These generally consist of smaller particles and under heavy
conditions will expend themselves before they bore completely through the ice
and snow. A good product will be large enough to melt under extreme conditions
and still maintain a moderate rate of melting.
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