Grit Bin: A Winter Essential
In the winter months, keeping outdoor spaces safe and accessible can be a challenge, especially when icy conditions take over. This is why a grit bin - also known as a salt bin or grit salt bin - is a winter essential.
Grit bins ensure that pavements, driveways, and smaller roads remain safe by providing easy access to de-icing products so that people can treat these themselves. This increases overall safety for everyone.
What Is a Grit Bin?
A grit bin is an outdoor container specifically designed to store various types of de-icing salt, including rock salt (commonly known as grit or grit salt) and white salt. These bins provide watertight storage, keeping the salt dry and ready for use. This is crucial as de-icing salt stored in a damp environment can clump together, making it harder to apply and less effective in the future.
They usually come in various colours, with bright yellow being the most common as it ensures they are easily visible even in difficult weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snowfall. A high-quality salt bin can last for many years and withstand various weather conditions without losing its original colour.
Winter Safety
Whilst the National Highway Agency and the local councils are responsible for de-icing major roads, on average only 40 % of the roads in the UK are being de-iced, leaving 60% of the roads untreated and posing risk for drivers and pedestrians. This is why grit salt bins are a vital resource for improving safety during icy conditions. Having one nearby means individuals can take safety into their own hands, treating areas like driveways, footpaths, and smaller roads that might otherwise be overlooked. Check out our ‘Why We Offer Rock & White Salt’ to learn more about the importance of de-icing.
Public vs Private Salt Bin
In the UK there are public and private salt bins.
Public bins are usually placed by the councils in the locations that are not on a gritting route or if a particular hazard has been identified that the gritters cannot access - for example a road with a steep bend or a heavily trafficked pedestrian zone. Whilst this may vary slightly across the country and it is best to double-check with your local council, the general rule is that any individual can take grit from the public grit bin and use it on public roads and pavements to ensure these spaces remain accessible and safe during the cold weather. However, it is not allowed to use grit from the public bin on private property, including personal driveways or office car parks, since these bins should only be used in the areas owned by the council with the aim to improve overall safety for everyone.
Private bins, on the other hand, can be purchased from a grit salt bin supplier and offer an excellent solution for these areas. These bins are ideal for personal use as they can be easily restocked whenever necessary, providing greater flexibility with no usage restrictions. You have the freedom to place them wherever you need and choose from a range of sizes and colours to suit your preferences. Additionally, you can fill them with whichever type of salt works best for your needs. For instance, rock salt is perfect for covering larger areas since it is cheaper but leaves behind a slight brown residue. Alternatively, white salt, a slightly more expensive option, is perfect for areas with lots of traffic in and out of buildings. To learn more about different types of de-icing salt available, check out our ‘Rock Salt Vs White Salt’ blog.
Buying a Grit Bin
To ensure that you buy the right grit salt bin for your needs, it is important to first think about the areas you want to de-ice and then calculate how much salt you are going to need. Typically, 10-15 grams of salt per square metre is sufficient for milder conditions when dealing with ice. However, if snow is expected, this amount should be increased to 20-30 grams per square metre to ensure the area remains safe for both vehicles and pedestrians. For more detailed guidance on spreading rates, check out our ‘How Much Salt Do I Need?’ blog.
Once you have completed your calculations, you should have a clear idea of what size of the bin is going to be best for you. Grit bins can range in size from as small as 30 litres to over 500 litres. Here at Online Rock Salt, we offer two sizes including a 200-litre bin, which holds approximately 10 large packs of rock or white salt (25 kilograms per pack), and a larger400-litreoption, which fits around 20 large packs.
Another factor to consider is whether you want your bin to be lockable or not. Both of our products include a lockable staple-type hasp to help prevent unauthorised or inappropriate use of its content. This is a great option if you are planning to place your bin in a highly populated area or an area with high foot traffic. However, if the bin is going to be positioned in a more remote or less accessible location, a lock may not be necessary.
The last step is to consider whether you prefer to purchase your salt bin separately or as part of a grit bin kit. For instance, our kits allow you to choose which type of salt you want to be delivered with your grit bin (rock or white) and offer a significant discount when compared to buying the grit bin and salt separately.
Positioning Your Grit Salt Bin
It is important to position the salt bin in a location that experiences high foot or vehicle traffic while remaining easily accessible. This is essential so that de-icing products can be easily applied as needed - either as a pre-treatment, spreading the salt before the temperature drops and ice forms, or as a reactive measure if the ice and snow have already formed. De-icing products need to be reapplied after heavy rain if the temperatures are forecast to drop again. Certain areas, including high footfall traffic locations, are more prone to ice formation as the heat generated by people walking can cause surface snow or ice to melt during warmer periods, creating water that refreezes as ice when temperatures drop. Ensuring that your grit bin is positioned nearby is key to keeping these areas safe.
Maintenance
Grit bins do not require excessive maintenance, but it is important to wipe down the interior and lid before adding salt to keep it moisture-free and remove any dirt. Additionally, secure the lid tightly after each use to prevent it from opening during harsh weather as this allows moisture inside.
Make sure to regularly inspect your bin for damage, corrosion, and structural flaws that could affect its performance. Additionally, check it regularly to ensure it is well-stocked to avoid running out of salt when cold conditions arrive!
Although it may seem unlikely at first, grit bins play a crucial role in keeping everyone safe during the winter. They allow people to de-ice hazardous areas often overlooked by the council, including private properties, by providing easy access to de-icing salt.
Offering watertight storage, they keep salt moisture-free and effective for a very long time, reducing the number of accidents, slips, and falls caused by cold temperatures.
Designed to thrive in cold conditions and resistant to erosion, a grit bin can last for many years if you decide to invest in one.
