Gritting and Snow Prep: 5 Tips for a Winter-Ready Business

Nov 8th, 2024

As winter approaches, it’s crucial for businesses to proactively prepare outdoor areas to ensure they remain safe and accessible for both customers and employees.

Whether you’re planning to handle gritting and snow management in-house or hire a professional service, these 5 tips will help you keep your business running smoothly throughout the winter season.

To ensure you’re prepared for winter, start by taking a close look at your existing supplies and equipment. Check your current stock of essentials like rock salt, white de-icing salt, liquid de-icers, shovels, grit bins, and salt spreaders to see whether you have enough to last through the winter. If not, consider ordering supplies in bulk well ahead of time. Ordering ahead of a cold snap, ensures you can benefit from pre-season prices as well as avoiding last-minute shortages, making sure you do not run out of stock as demand spikes once the temperature drops.

You can also use this time to inspect your equipment and look for any signs of damage, such as cracks in grit bins, or rusty and worn-out components on salt spreaders that could negatively affect their performance. A cracked grit bin for example, may not hold up under the weight of large amounts of salt, leading to leaks or structural collapse just when you need them most. Rust on metal components of salt spreaders can cause jammed parts or a weakened structure, making it difficult to spread salt evenly. Applying a rust-protection spray, such as WD-40, can help prevent this.

Preparation is key to avoid unexpected delays, leaving areas unprepared and potentially unsafe when cold conditions arrive!

It is important to identify and calculate the areas that you want to de-ice before ordering to ensure you have enough salt to effectively clear those areas when the temperature drops.

To do this, start by making a list of different places that you might want to de-ice prioritising them on daily usage. For example, high-traffic areas like parking lots, walkways, and entrance areas should be de-iced first, as they are the most likely to pose a hazard due to regular foot and vehicle traffic. Staircases and ramps are particularly vulnerable to becoming hazardous when icy, so de-icing these areas is essential to prevent any slips, trips, or falls, especially for people with mobility challenges. Fire exits and emergency routes should also be kept clear of ice to ensure that in the event of an emergency, there are no obstacles preventing a swift evacuation.

Once this has been done, you need to calculate how much product you are going to use. For example, 10-15 grams of rock salt per square meter is usually enough for ‘pre-salting’ – this refers to spreading salt before the ice forms. Once the cold weather strikes and the ice has already formed, 20 – 30 grams per square meter may be required. If you’d like to learn more about this, check out our How Much Salt Do I Need guide. This includes a detailed table on minimum effective salt spreading rates in clear and icy conditions.

When it’s time to order your supplies, choosing the right type of de-icing product is just as important as knowing the quantity needed.

White de-icing salt is a great option for areas with a lot of traffic in and out of buildings. Due to its higher purity compared to rock salt, it does not leave any brown residue behind on carpets, tiles, or other indoor flooring surfaces. Because of this, it is the preferred option for many businesses, including restaurants, retail outlets, and schools.

However, it is a slightly more expensive option, so if you need to de-ice a large area and residue is not a concern, rock salt is an effective, budget-friendly alternative.

Rock salt, also known as brown salt, road salt or grit salt, is commonly used by highway agencies and is usually spread by the gritters once the cold weather hits. It is best for high-traffic areas due to its high durability, making it a perfect option for driveways, roads, and large parking lots.

However, it does leave a slight residue, so it is best used in the areas where this is not a concern. It’s slightly larger granules also provide added traction, so the risk of slipping is reduced, and it is one of the cheapest de-icing options.

Liquid de-icer, also known as brine, is a powerful liquid solution made by mixing salt and water. One of its main advantages is its quick and easy application, simply pour the mixture into a watering can or sprayer and you are ready to go!

Since the product is directly sprayed onto the affected surfaces, it ensures even coverage across the treated areas. It is also an ideal option as both a preventative measure before the ice has formed, and a rapid reactionary tool against already formed snow and ice.

For example, our Icethaw Brine works in temperatures as low as -9 degrees Celcius, whilst Icethaw Ultra is suitable for up to -26 degrees Celsius! Both of these are also an eco-friendly alternative when compared to using a regular de-icing salt. You are able to cover a larger area whilst using less product due to its liquid form and it uses less salt since it is mixed with water. Additionally, our Icethaw Ultra is a specially formulated low corrosive de-icer, perfect for areas where corrosion is a concern, such as around metal structures or equipment.

It is crucial to store your de-icing salt properly; if stored in a damp environment, it can result in clumping, making it harder to apply both by hand or in a spreader. Dirty containers can also expose your de-icing salt to impurities, potentially contaminating it and reducing its effectiveness.

Whilst there is no specific timeline for how long these factors will take to affect your salt, as it depends on moisture levels and temperature fluctuations, it's best to establish proper storage before purchasing supplies to ensure their long-term effectiveness.

Grit bins are a great way to prevent this as they provide watertight storage helping to prevent clumping due to moisture. They come a range of different sizes to accommodate the different storage needs of companies and individuals.

In terms of maintenance, regular inspection is important to ensure it stays moisture-free. Wiping down the lid and interior before adding salt helps remove any moisture or dirt that could compromise the salt’s quality. Securing the lid tightly after each use prevents it from accidentally opening during harsh weather and allowing moisture inside.

For optimal placement, position the grit bin close to high-traffic areas. These can include driveways, footpaths, or a building entrance as this allows quick and easy access in case you need to reapply your de-icing salt, ensuring these areas remain safe to use.

Businesses need to plan their salt spreading and application timing in advance to ensure effective snow management. The first step is deciding between in-house or professional de-icing and snow removal as both of these options have their pros and cons.

In-house snow removal allows for more control over the process and flexibility, enabling you to reapply products or clear snow whenever required. However, you need to provide your team with any necessary equipment, as well as any training you deem important to perform the task effectively.

Alternatively, hiring an external company means you don’t have to manage these tasks yourself, or buy any equipment. However, this may be an expensive option for smaller businesses. An extremely cold weather could also increase demand for professional services, decreasing their availability when you may need them most.

For application timing, it is necessary to regularly monitor the weather forecast for freezing conditions to enable proactive snow management, whether it is to plan the in-house salt spreading, or to call a contractor and get this booked in.

Spreading salt or other de-icers before the temperature drops, also called pre-treatment or proactive treatment, is great for preventing the ice forming on surfaces, so it is important to do this on a regular basis.

Proactive treatment also saves time and effort, as once the snow has formed, it must be cleared before spreading salt or using your liquid de-icer. For in-house salt removal, this could be done using a snow shovel to ensure that the salt makes direct contact with the pavement, which maximises its effectiveness in melting ice and snow.

Be sure to also reapply any of the de-icing products as necessary and regularly inspect high-traffic or shaded areas for signs of freezing as these spots are more prone to ice formation. Also be aware, heavy rain can also wash any de-icing products away. Ideally, this should be done in advance, preferably in the evening before anticipated snowfall, similar to pre-treatment.

While not legally required, implementing a salt and ice removal policy is considered best practice for businesses, especially when external companies are not used for de-icing services.

It should outline the company’s responsibilities for snow and ice clearance, detail the steps being taken to ensure high-traffic areas are safe, specify how often the weather is monitored, and describe methods for the safe and effective use of de-icing products. It should also include any specific guidelines that your local authorities may have.

A driving policy is also not a legal requirement in UK, but if your business does have one, it might be a good idea to update it with a section specific to winter driving. This could cover safety precautions for driving to and from work during winter, as well as setting a lower speed limit within the car park on icy days to further enhance safety.

Assessing your inventory needs, ordering the right amount of supplies, selecting appropriate de-icing products, and ensuring proper storage are all critical components for maintaining a safe and efficient business throughout the winter. Additionally, establishing a solid plan for initial spreading, timely reapplication, and implementing relevant policies will further enhance your winter management strategy.