Ice And Snow Removal Review traditional, non-colored ice-melts. “It is easier to observe the amount of ice-melt applied visually when the melt is col-ored,” adds Hysell. “This can prevent over-application.” A tinted ice-melt also helps reduce wear on vulnerable surfaces like concrete by allowing the user to see how much product has been applied in a given area. According to Ossian, at the end of a sea-son when operators are going over what worked and what didnʼt that winter, it may be much easier for them to remember that the pink product seemed to work better than the blue one, than to remember the actual brand names of what they were applying. A properly maintained matting system will greatly reduce the amount of salt, sand and other soils associated with wintery weather from being tracked into your facility. Cleaning professionals should be pre-pared with wet/dry vacuums, carpet extrac-tors and microfiber mops to quickly cleanup any factions of winter weather that make their way inside. “The use of liquids does not completely eliminate tracking but it can severely reduce it,” remarks Ossian. “If the liquid is clear, such as potassium acetate, any tracking will be invisible and the product will not dry with the typical white dusting char-acteristic of salt.” An all-encompassing ice and snow removal plan — one that focuses on the outside and inside of your facility — will help keep building occupants safe and will contribute to improved indoor environmen-tal quality. removal plan in fruitless if end users are not employing proper application tech-niques. It is recommended that ice-melts be applied before a winter weather event. Applying an ice-melt before an area becomes covered with ice and snow pre-vents the frozen precipitation from bonding to surfaces, making it easier to remove by shoveling, plowing or snow blowing. Municipalities have reported that every pound of liquid ice-melt applied to surfaces before a winter storm can save up to four pounds of product used after a storm. Hysell asserts that ambient temperature, precipitation, surface temperature and residual ice-melts from previous applica-tions all affect the time an ice-melt will take to work and how well it will work. Now, while the weather is still agreeable, is the time to establish and fine-tune an ice and snow removal program. Waiting until bad weather hits puts you at a disadvantage; remember, the best offense is a good defense. CM Winterizing The Interior While contesting the conditions outside of your facility is important, it is crucial to com-bat the spread of wintery weather and stop it before it reduces the safety and appear-ance of the inside of your facility. An effective matting system at least 15 feet in length should be in place. Application Even the most well-to-do ice and snow Circle Product Information no. 202 on page 32 24 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • August 2009
CMM – Archives Aug 2009: 24
