Liquid deicers can sometimes be referred to as liquid ice melt. Liquid deicers are simply the liquid form of ice. Its main work is to prevent ice and snow from building up by lowering the freezing point of water.

Also, it lowers the risk of experiencing harmful conditions that occur during winter such as slippery surfaces. 

The popularity of liquid deicer has increased rapidly because of its great work in ice prevention and snow removal.

Here, I will discuss and answer some of your questions about liquid deicers like what are the types of liquid deicers I can choose from and why should I opt for liquid deicers.

Types of liquid deicers

Liquid deckers generally can be sprayed by hand or in a truck within a wide radius. It is also very easy to store: The following are types of liquid deicers:

Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt)

Rock salt is a type of liquid deicer. Snow removal companies and homeowners use this a lot. To use, you have to dilute sodium chloride( Rock Salt) into a 3-to-1 ratio of hot water. Then, you can start applying it. It works effectively at 15F or above.

Potassium Chloride

Potassium chloride is used either in liquid or pellet form. It can work perfectly on its own. It can melt ice and snow at 12F or above. So, you don't have to add it to rock salt.

Although, it doesn't melt ice as fast as rock salt. Unlike rock salt, it can't cause corrosion to vehicles and concrete.

Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride can melt ice and snow at  -20 F or above. It has an exothermic reaction (formed with the evolution of heat) to moisture. This is the same as rock salt. Calcium chloride is mixed with rock salt to increase its work power. It reacts with salt to melt snow and ice. It works more effectively than rock salt at - 20F or above. It can be stored in liquid form.

Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium chloride is mostly mixed with sodium chloride or sand. Although it works just like calcium chloride it does not affect sub-freezing temperatures. You tend to use less salt when you mix salt with magnesium chloride. The addition of magnesium chloride will lower the effectiveness of the salt’s temperature. Also, the wet salt will not scatter much. It melts at 0 F or above. It is not as great as calcium chloride.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)

Calcium magnesium acetate is best advised to prevent the formation of snow and ice. It works perfectly for ice and snow melting. It changes the ground surface to dry. This makes it impossible for ice to stick to the surface. The temperature change is through precipitation, instead of exothermic reaction (heat). Little to no corrosion occurs since there is no salt in the mixture. It melts snow and ice at 15 F or above.

Potassium Acetate

Potassium Acetate works the same way as Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA).it temperature is slightly lower than CMA. This makes it good for an anti-icing plan. The best time to use Potassium Acetate is before the formation of ice and snow. Applying it on the surface makes it impossible for ice to form.

Since both ice and potassium acetate are not compatible, ice formation can't happen. Also, snow tends to blow away with this mixture in use. Its work effectiveness is - 32 F or above.

The benefit of using liquid deicers

Why should you use liquid deciders? The following are the benefits of liquid deicers:

They are multipurpose

Liquid deicers might not be as rock said when melting already formed ice but it is the best in snow removal. You can simply add it to any surface before any formation of ice or snow. Especially if you use it with rock salt, you will be amazed by the multiple ways you can use liquid deicers. It also improves the ideas of how to apply it.

It can be applied in few amounts

Liquid deicers stay on the road more than rock salt which lies on the surface of the pavement, asphalt, and façades. According to research, 5 cars can easily remove 80% of rock salt. Since it can easily be blown away or knocked off, they tend to use it in an extra amount. This harms the environment. So, using liquid deicers is advised.

It saves time

The main point of using liquid deicers is to prevent snow from building up. So, using this mixture reduces the time you use on snow plowing. It also reduces the time you use when moving on the road.

It produces a cleaner finish

Liquid deicers make the work of those cleaning the sidewalk easier. It makes their machine clean more effectively than when liquid deicers are not applied. Remember to apply it before the storm.

It speeds up the process

Liquid deicers before they start to form speed up the whole ice melting process.