Tis The Season

So what is the difference between salt and traction grit? How long can I expect for them to last for anyways?

As we've mentioned in a previous blog post, traction grit is a sand like substance that is made of 100% natural or crushed rock. 

The major difference between salt and traction grit is that while traction grit – constructed of crush rock – leaves a residue, salt dissolves when temperature increases, going with the melted snow right now the drain! 

While salt melts as soon as it performs the initial task, traction grit stays on whatever surface you are trying to de-ice and continues to add traction even as conditions change. 

It is important to note that if you have elected to use salt as a de-icing solution and temperatures differ between the ground and air without their being an extended period of warmth for all liquid to evaporate or drain, the newly dissolved salt can refreeze right alongside the newly melted snow turning the surface into a slippery sheet of ice. 

That's why TBO has onsite inspectors that can be sent the very next day after an unexpected re-freeze to reapply salt. 

A temperature differences of between 1-3 degrees as measured between 250 cm and 10 cm above the road, has been proven to have been associated with increased conditions of slipperiness!

This Christmas in particular, temperatures are expected to vary from -4 to 5 degrees! 

If you have elected to have salt rather than traction grit spread on your property and there appears to be a re-freeze, don't worry! Pick up the phone and we'll send a trusty TBO inspector out to your property for a repeat site visit to add more salt to your property!