Anti-Icing
Anti-icing
is the proactive application of melting products to driving surfaces before a
winter weather event. Anti-icing helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to the
pavement, helping the roads to stay clear longer, and makes snow removal a more
manageable process. As brine is dormant until it comes in contact with
precipitation, the anti-icing efforts can begin up to three days prior to a
snow event.
The type of
material used to cause chemical melting of snow or ice depends on the type of
treatment being performed. Salt, liquid
calcium chloride and sand are available at all street maintenance operation
facilities. These materials are used for the initial clearing of public
roadways. Salt brine is used for direct application to pavement for anti-icing.
Rock salt and rock salt pre-wetted with liquid calcium chloride are the primary
chemicals.