You may be wondering what the difference is between salt brine and rock salt, or if they have any differing benefits. Here, we will discuss what makes salt brine vs. rock salt distinct and what benefits each type of salt has, as well as when to use each type of salt.
Difference Between Salt Brine vs. Rock Salt
Salt brine is a liquified salt solution that is 23% salt and 77% water. Brine is used by spraying it on pavement before a winter storm as an anti-icing treatment. This lowers the water’s freezing point and stops snow and ice from sticking to the surface.
Rock salt is hard, chunks of salt that is used to melt ice or snow on roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Rock salt works by melting into the surface moisture to lower the water’s freezing point. This creates a brine solution that breaks the bond between pavement and ice.
Brine acts differently than rock salt because brine prevents snow from sticking as a precautionary measure, whereas rock salt actually melts snow after it has landed. Salt brine solution begins to melt ice and snow immediately upon contact because it is already chemically converted to a liquid form. However, rock salt has to wait for moisture from the air or a storm to dissolve before it can start melting.
Should I Use Rock Salt Or Salt Brine?
When To Use Salt Brine
Salt brine should be applied before expected snow or ice storms, and can be applied anywhere from a few hours to 3 days prior to a winter storm. When applying salt brine solution, do not apply it in the rain or when rain is expected, as the brine will wash away. It is best to apply brine solution when pavement has enough time to dry so that the salt crystals in brine can activate and prevent snow from sticking.
When To Use Rock Salt
Salt brine is best used as a heavy storm reactive treatment. Once snow or ice has already fallen, it is too late to use liquid brine solution, so you can use rock salt on top of icy roads and packed snow to melt it off of pavement. Rock salt will melt and dilute existing snow or ice, melting it away. Rock salt is best used during or after winter storms to melt existing snow and prevent foot traffic or tires from slipping on slick roads. It can also be used before a winter storm as a preventative measure as an alternative to salt brine.
Benefits Of Salt Brine
A Benefit Of Salt Brine Is It’s Preventative Abilities
As mentioned before, salt brine is highly beneficial when used as a pre-icing treatment before a winter storm. It is extremely effective at preventing snow from sticking to pavement as a precautionary measure,
Salt Brine Is Beneficial Because It Melts Snow Immediately
Another benefit of salt brine is that it melts ice and snow immediately upon application since it is already chemically converted to a liquid. This speeds up the snow-melting process and acts as a very efficient method of snow and ice melting. So, salt brine outperforms rock salt in its speed of melting because salt brine melts faster than rock salt.
A Benefit Of Salt Brine Is It Prevents Snow From Sticking To Roads
Salt brine is also highly effective at preventing snow and ice from sticking to pavement. Spraying brine acts as a non-stick spray on roads, so when snow or ice falls, it immediately melts once it lands on brine-covered roads. This makes roads safer faster, ensuring people and vehicles do not slip on slick surfaces.
The non-sticking properties of brine, its preventative abilities, and the speed in which salt brine works are all great benefits of brine and why it is a favorable choice among many snow removal contractors.
Benefits Of Rock Salt
Rock salt has many benefits for helping during a winter storm. Although rock salt takes longer to melt, it still has its uses and is helpful during a winter storm.
A Benefit Of Salt Brine Is That It Is Highly Cost-Effective Option
One key benefit of salt brine is that it is affordable and widely available. You can get rock salt at pretty much any hardware store or landscaping supplier. Rock salt is also the most cost-effective winter de-icing agent available on the consumer and commercial market currently. This makes many snow removal contractors choose rock salt.
Rock Salt Provides Traction To Prevent Slips
A benefit of rock salt is that its granular texture provides immediate traction to roads, preventing slipping or hydroplaning. Rock salt offers immediate traction against slick roads during winter weather, whereas liquid brine solution doesn’t provide any grip.
Rock Salt Works During And After Winter Storms
Unlike brine solution, rock salt is effective during and after a snowfall or ice storm. Rock salt can be applied to icy roads and packed snow after it has fallen on pavement. It can melt in heavy accumulation since rock salt has a higher concentration of active chemical agents that can burn through thick ice or snow effectively.
Rock Salt Can Be Used In Rain Is A Benefit Of Rock Salt
Another benefit of rock salt is that it can be used in the rain. Brine would get washed away on pavement if applied in rainy weather, but rock salt can resist rain washouts.
Overall, rock salt and salt brine have their pros and cons, but both are effective during winter storms.
Contact Winterstone For Your Snow Removal Needs
Winterstone is proud to serve the local community in both rock salt and salt brine snow removal. For more information on rock salt, salt brine, or other snow removal needs, contact Winterstone today!
