As winter approaches, contractors must evaluate the best methods to ensure effective de-icing. While rock salt has been a traditional choice for years, liquid brine is emerging as a superior option. Here’s why switching to brine can elevate your business and benefit your clients:
1. Speed Matters
In de-icing, speed is everything. Liquid brine works much faster than rock salt, getting parking lots and walkways down to bare pavement in a fraction of the time. Rock salt needs moisture to activate and turn into brine before it can melt ice, a process that takes time, especially in cold, dry conditions. This delay is compounded if salt granules are spaced more than 2 inches apart, reducing effectiveness.
Brine, however, is pre-activated and starts working immediately upon contact with ice or snow. For businesses, this means a safer environment faster, reducing the risk of slip-and-fall incidents. In fact, some clients have reported that brine can clear surfaces 3-4 times faster than rock salt.
2. Cost-Effective Cleanliness
Brine doesn’t just save time—it saves money too. Unlike rock salt, which often tracks indoors and creates a mess, brine leaves minimal residue behind. This means cleaner floors, less wear and tear on surfaces, and ultimately lower janitorial costs. Contractors who use brine report happier clients thanks to these cleaner environments and reduced maintenance bills.
3. Environmental Responsibility
With increasing attention on sustainability, brine stands out as an eco-friendly option. Brine significantly reduces the amount of chlorides entering stormwater systems, which helps protect local ecosystems from harmful contamination. In contrast, rock salt can leach chlorides into the soil and water, disrupting aquatic life and damaging natural habitats.
For businesses committed to environmental responsibility, adopting brine showcases a commitment to sustainable practices—an appealing factor to environmentally-conscious customers. Demonstrating your use of liquid de-icing can also give you a competitive edge and help you attract clients who prioritize green solutions.
4. Flexibility in Cold Temperatures
Brine’s lower freezing point compared to rock salt is a major advantage. While rock salt is effective down to 20°F (-6°C), brine can remain effective at temperatures as low as -6°F (-21°C). With additives, brine can work even in extreme cold, operating at temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C).
This temperature flexibility means brine performs better in harsh winter conditions, allowing contractors to manage snow and ice effectively even in sub-zero weather.
5. Longevity and Reliability
Durability is key when investing in de-icing equipment. Systems like the VSI by BOSS liquid de-icing units offer enhanced longevity over traditional salt spreaders. With fewer moving parts that can seize or jam, your operations will experience less downtime, resulting in fewer repairs and replacements.
This reliability means fewer interruptions during crucial operations, allowing you to save on repair costs and focus on delivering exceptional service.
6. Increased Profit Margins
Rock salt is frequently overapplied, leading to unnecessary costs and waste. When salt is scattered too heavily or inefficiently, it inflates operational expenses for contractors. Brine, on the other hand, allows for controlled, precise application, reducing waste and maximizing the efficiency of your materials.
Switching to brine not only cuts down on material costs but also helps contractors attract more clients by offering a superior de-icing solution. As a result, you can increase demand for your services and improve your overall profit margins.
Conclusion
In today’s competitive market, staying ahead requires smart decisions and innovative approaches. Switching to liquid brine is not just an environmentally friendly choice, but a smart business move that leads to faster, more efficient de-icing, cleaner environments, and happier clients.
If you’re ready to enhance your de-icing strategy, our team at Storm Solutions Plus is here to help you make the switch and ensure your operations run smoothly all winter long. Embrace the future of de-icing with liquid brine and set your business up for success.
