It can be frustrating when it snows, especially for property owners who are the primary victims. Ice on the driveways, doors, and cars can make you think deeply about what to do. Yes! There are plenty of ways to melt ice, and one of them is using magnesium chloride.
Relative to other ice melters, magnesium chloride works magic. This should be your first choice when working on your frozen driveway or compound. You can also contact a professional snow removal company for large-scale ice-melting services.
Here is a rundown discussing how this compound works and how to use it safely.
How Does Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) Work?
The first and most crucial part of using magnesium chloride bulk to melt ice is understanding how it works. It’s just slight chemistry but easy to grasp. This naturally forming compound contains approximately 18% magnesium (Mg) and 34% chloride (Cl-) in commercial grade. It has been used for ice melting for several years and has proven beneficial.
Magnesium chloride absorbs moisture, making it ideal for the procedure. When poured over ice, the compound breaks the particles and absorbs the water, inhibiting further freezing. However, the temperature shouldn’t drop profoundly for this to be effective, as extreme freezing might overpower the compound.
Methods of Using Magnesium Chloride to Melt Ice
There are three main ways of using magnesium chloride to melt ice, including:
Pre-treating Magnesium with a Liquid
One popular way of melting ice with magnesium chloride is pre-treating the compound in liquid. This technique is ideal when you wish to work on a large area.
You should be keen on the ratio of magnesium chloride to the liquid to ensure high practicality. When the liquid exceeds the required level, it may weaken the MgCl2, making it less effective.
Magnesium Chloride Flakes
Flakes are another practical solution to magnesium chloride in ice melting. As the term suggests, these tiny particles spread directly to the ice to make it melt. They are more potent than the liquid-based solution and can also tackle medium-large ice areas.
Magnesium Chloride Pellets
Magnesium chloride pellets are the most common ice de-icers and function similarly to flakes. They work relatively faster than the other two methods and can cover a large surface. You can spread them above the area depending on the ice coverage.
These pieces, however, often bounce and slide away once they reach the surfaces, hence requiring strategic application.
Tips for Using Magnesium Chloride to Melt Ice
Below are some tips for melting ice with magnesium chloride to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.
Protective Equipment
You must have your protective gear on when applying magnesium chloride over ice. These include an apron and gloves to shield yourself from the adverse weather and the impact of the compound on your skin. Goggles would also add a layer of protection.
Consider Clearing the Snow
Experts advise that clearing the vast and loose snow blocks before applying the compound would make it more effective. The pellets, flakes, and pre-treated liquid aren’t practical on these large blocks. Maybe if you use them in excess, however, it wouldn’t be economical.
Wait for the Temperatures to Rise
As highlighted earlier, using magnesium chloride to melt ice works better when the temperatures are slightly higher. Therefore, applying the compound during this period would be best. It would be best if you wait until the heavy snowing stops. Using it in intense snow wouldn’t be effective.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Guideline
Observing the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding preparing and applying magnesium chloride for ice melting is crucial. The packages usually come with short and understandable instructions, which you should read before you start the procedure. Be sure to contact the supplier or manufacturer for any clarifications and concerns.
Use the Right Tools
What you use to apply the magnesium chloride over ice significantly influences its effectiveness. You should use the best tools, like a salt spreader, which distributes the pellets and flakes evenly and quickly. A jug can be used for the liquid-based solution.
Benefits of Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride has secured its place as one of the most popular de-icers, and there are several reasons for this. The compound is effective quite quickly in any form it’s used, which means it can save both time and energy.
If you happen to come into contact with it, magnesium chloride is less likely to irritate the skin than other de-icers. Following application and melting, it leaves behind less residue. This minimizes the need for sweeping and cleaning, which can be quite exhausting.
Additionally, magnesium chloride does minimal damage to surfaces and vegetation when compared to the harsh effects of rock salt and similar de-icing products.
Shortcomings of Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride has been the go-to solution for melting ice. Nonetheless, it has a few shortcomings that property owners must acknowledge before application. Unfortunately, the compound is quite expensive compared to other ice-melting solutions, hence a discouragement.
Furthermore, you must apply in plenty even after clearing some ice and waiting for temperatures to rise, especially for people who experience extreme winter. Magnesium chloride may have a negative environmental impact when it runs off into rivers and other water bodies, especially on aquatic animals.