What is Pre-wetted Salt? Do I need it?

 

 Since the snow is going to be falling soon, and the roads and sidewalks in our city are going to be getting a lot more slippery, you may be wondering what kinds of precautions you should be taking to prepare and avoid accidents and injuries. You may have heard of something called pre-wetted salt, but do you actually know what it is? Let’s take a look!

What is Pre-wetted Salt?

Pre-wetted salt is basically a salt that has been coated with a liquid chemical before being spread over ice or snow. The three main chemicals that are used to pre-wet salt are sodium chloride, liquid calcium, and magnesium chloride, though many others are used too. When salt is pre-wetted, it works to dissolve ice and snow on slippery surfaces much quicker and more effectively. Unlike rock salt, pre-wetted salt tends to cling to the surface and not bounce off of it due to foot traffic and vehicles rushing by. This makes it very useful for staying on roads and other areas of high traffic. Less salt ends up being displaced, which is great for the environment and saving money too.

Pre-wetted salt can also be used in any temperature, regardless of how much moisture is in the air, and this is because the solution used guarantees there is always plenty of moisture to melt the ice or snow. This also makes the pre-wetted salt work faster, allowing you to use walkways and roads sooner rather than later. In terms of savings, you may end up spending a little bit more since you are paying for a salt that is infused with chemicals, but it is a worthwhile investment; using pre-wetted salt will eliminate the need to use more traditional rock salt, since it is much more effective in smaller quantities, and all of this will save you money in the long run.

Do I need Pre-wetted Salt?

If you find yourself using bags and bags of rock slat every winter, it may be a good idea to make the switch to pre-wetted salt to keep your property and driveway safe. Not only will you be using a more effective product to get the job done but you will also be saving money in the long run! It is important to note, however, that pre-wetted salt does require the use of special equipment in order to spread it and get the maximum positive results, but it is good to think of this too as a worthwhile investment for you.