Ice Melt Isn’t a Strategy: Rethinking Your Winter Risk Approach
Introduction: The Overuse of Ice Melt
Walk a commercial site after a freeze and you’ll often see it: piles of over-scattered salt, unevenly applied, pooling near curbs or ignored near entryways. Many believe this is a “good enough” solution to winter risk. It’s not. Ice melt is a tool — not a plan.
At ClearPath, we build strategies, not reactions.
What Ice Melt Can and Can’t Do
Let’s get honest. Ice melt:
Can reduce surface freezing when applied early
Can aid traction in problem spots
Cannot replace mechanical clearing of snow or slush
Cannot reach black ice under compacted snow
Cannot create safe walkways on its own
It’s most effective before ice bonds to surfaces — not after conditions deteriorate.
High-Risk Zones Most Sites Overlook
Not all surfaces are created equal. Many service providers apply ice melt uniformly, ignoring the unique hazards posed by:
Sloped walkways
North-facing entries that never thaw
Curb cuts at accessible parking
Sidewalk-to-asphalt transitions
Loading zones with foot/vehicle overlap
These areas need targeted attention, not guesswork.
The Difference Between Anti-Icing and Deicing
Understanding the distinction matters:
Anti-icing = applying liquid or granular treatment before a storm to prevent bonding
Deicing = applying products after accumulation to break up ice
The former is strategic. The latter is reactive. ClearPath builds forecast-based treatment triggers to make sure the right process is used at the right time.
Mapping Targeted Ice Control Zones
Every ClearPath client receives a site-specific ice control plan, including:
Surface prioritization based on traffic and usage
Custom material application (liquids, granular, blends)
Application rate guidance based on surface type
Documentation of time, location, and environmental conditions
We use both manual oversight and tech-driven validation to ensure your liability shield is real — not just aspirational.
Why Strategy Trumps Scatter
“Throw some salt on it” isn’t a plan. It’s a liability exposure in the making.
With the right winter strategy, you protect:
Customers and tenants from injury
Your team from complaint overload
Your brand from risk, claims, and insurance hikes
ClearPath doesn’t sell salt. We sell safety, systems, and peace of mind.
