Winter Materials Guide
Liquid de-icer and granular salt solve different winter problems
Property managers, facilities teams and snow contractors often ask whether liquid de-icer should replace rock salt. In practice, the best winter programs use each material where it makes sense.
Where liquid de-icer is strongest
Liquid is especially useful for pretreatment. Applied before precipitation under appropriate pavement and weather conditions, it can help reduce the bond between snow or ice and the pavement so plowing and cleanup are more effective. Whiteout locally produces IceStrike liquid deicer for its own operations and wholesale customers.
Where granular material is useful
Granular ice-melt products can be useful after ice has formed, on localized trouble areas, and where a dry material is operationally easier to apply. Product choice should account for temperature, surface, traffic and the conditions being treated. Whiteout also supplies bulk ice melt, sand and traction materials.
Why application timing matters
More product is not automatically better. Pavement temperature, precipitation type, dilution, traffic and the treatment goal all affect performance. Pretreatment, mechanical snow removal and post-storm/refreeze treatment each solve different parts of the winter-maintenance problem.
Buying materials for your own crews
Contractors, property managers and commercial facilities can purchase IceStrike and bulk winter materials without hiring Whiteout to perform the application. Contractor & Property Manager Products includes bulk pickup, delivery, tote and refill options based on volume and location.
For properties where Whiteout performs the winter work, see our commercial snow and ice management program.