With winter comes colder temperatures, frost, and snowfall, which bring not only seasonal disruption to our roads but also serious safety risks for homes, workplaces, and public spaces. In addition to road accidents, slips, trips, and falls increase in icy conditions, making proactive winter maintenance essential.
Salt spreading is one of the most effective and widely used methods for preventing ice build-up on roads, paths, car parks, and access routes. However, for salt spreading to be effective, it must be done correctly, at the right time, and with the appropriate equipment.
Our guide details how salt spreading works, when to do it, common mistakes to avoid, and how to stay prepared throughout the winter months.
What is Salt Spreading? And Why Does It Matter?
Salt spreading, or gritting, is a crucial safety measure during the colder months, involving the distribution of rock salt on outdoor surfaces at risk of freezing.
There are two measures involved:
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Preventative (Anti-Icing): Applied before freezing, the salt creates a saline solution with a lower freezing point, preventing ice formation.
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Reactive (De-Icing): Applied to existing ice or compacted snow, the salt dissolves and melts the ice from the bottom up, turning it into slush for easier removal.
Spreading is carried out using specialised machinery, such as large road sweepers and smaller salt spreaders for pathways. The process lowers the freezing point of water, preventing ice from forming and helping existing ice melt more quickly. When applied correctly, it is a cost-effective and reliable way to maintain safe access during winter.
Failing to treat icy surfaces can lead to:
- Increased risk of slips and injuries
- Vehicular accidents and collisions
- Disruption to access routes and services
- Damage to reputation and potential liability claims
- Higher long-term maintenance costs
How Does Grit Salt Work?
Rock salt dissolves in surface moisture, forming a brine that freezes at a lower temperature than water alone. This process prevents ice from bonding to the surface and makes it easier to break up frost or compacted snow.
However, salt becomes less effective below -7°C, at which point alternative treatments or higher application rates may be required.
When Should You Spread Grit Salt?
Timing is critical if you aim to avoid the worst effects of winter conditions. Taking the above into account, the most effective approach to salt spreading is preventive, not reactive – so long as you have enough warning!
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Before or after snowfall: Salt should ideally be applied before freezing conditions occur. Spreading grit before frost prevents ice from forming and reduces the amount of salt needed later, saving time and money. To achieve this, monitoring weather forecasts and temperature drops overnight is essential.
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During prolonged cold spells: In these conditions, you may need to reapply rock salt regularly, particularly in high-footfall or high-traffic areas such as entrances, walkways, ramps, and car parks.
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After snowfall: Once snow has been cleared, you should apply salt immediately to prevent refreezing and the formation of compacted ice.
Where Should Grit Salt Be Applied?
Not all surfaces require the same level of treatment. In the interest of time, resources, and money, you should focus on areas where accidents are most likely to occur, such as:
- Pedestrian walkways and footpaths
- Building entrances and exits
- Disabled access routes and ramps
- Steps and slopes
- Car parks and loading bays
- Emergency access points
How to use a salt spreader.
1. Pre-checks.
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Check the assembly, agitator, and flow control. Set the flow rate (start medium-low) based on the conditions to prevent waste.
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Clear the hopper, and check the tyres, connections, and power if not using a manual salt spreader.
2. Loading
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Use an appropriate rock salt type and quantity based on the conditions. Please note: most salt spreaders cannot spread brown salt, which is more likely to clump and clog the spreader.
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Fill the hopper to about three-quarters full; do not overfill.
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Separate moisture-clumped salt before loading to ensure an even spread and prevent jamming during distribution.
3. Spreading
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Start moving before opening the flow control to prevent dumping, and always close the control before stopping.
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Maintain a consistent, normal pace for even distribution.
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Spread in slightly overlapping, parallel lines for uniform coverage.
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Use the correct flow control setting to achieve a thin, visible layer and avoid over-salting.
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Target the high-risk areas mentioned above (paths, steps, ramps, slopes, entrance and exit points, etc.).
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Do not use the salt spreader when it is raining, as the salt will dissolve!
4. Maintenance
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Always empty the salt spreader; do not store it with salt remaining inside the hopper.
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Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after each use.
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Allow to dry completely to prevent rust.
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Keep in a dry, covered area.
How Much Grit Salt Should You Use?
One of the most common mistakes in winter maintenance is over-salting. More salt does not equate to better protection and can cause environmental damage and surface deterioration, not to mention that it’s wasteful and will increase winter supply costs.
As a general guide, we recommend:
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10–20g per square metre for frost prevention. If the temperature drops below 0℃, or snow is expected, we recommend using 30–40g per square metre.
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During heavier snowfall, additional applications after clearing may be required.
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Remember: an even distribution is more effective than dumping heavy piles of salt on the surface!
If you’re still unsure about how much grit salt to use, check out our handy Winter Salt Spreading Calculator.
Choosing the Right Salt Spreading Equipment
The right equipment makes winter maintenance safer, quicker, and more reliable. Thankfully, at Kingfisher Direct, we supply everything you need to tackle winter conditions with confidence.
Manual Grit Spreaders
Ideal for smaller areas such as paths, entrances, and courtyards. Manual salt spreaders enable controlled, even distribution with reduced physical strain, and a selection of shovels, ploughs, and accessories is available to make life easier.
Towed Grit Spreaders
Suitable for larger sites, including car parks, access routes, schools, and commercial and industrial sites. They improve efficiency and ensure consistent coverage across wide areas with less physical effort.
Salt Storage
Proper storage is just as important as application; keep rock salt dry and easily accessible to prevent clumping and waste. Our range of grit bins ensures that winter supplies are kept safe and ready when needed.
Common Salt Spreading Mistakes to Avoid
Poor winter maintenance can reduce the effectiveness of salt spreading or even create new risks. To avoid the risk of accidents and injuries, we suggest avoiding these common pitfalls:
- Waiting until ice has formed: Reactive treatment is less effective and more labour-intensive than preventative salt spreading.
- Uneven spreading: This results in untreated patches, leaving conditions unsafe.
- Using the wrong materials: Sand alone will not melt ice; always invest in proper rock salt and deicing products.
- Ignoring refreezing: In subzero temperatures, melted snow can refreeze overnight. To avoid this and the risk of hazardous surface conditions, you should complete the reapplication process.
- Poor storage: Wet salt reduces the effectiveness of grit salt and makes it difficult to spread.
Environmental Considerations
While salt is effective, it should be used responsibly, as excessive use and the effects of rock salt can harm the environment and wildlife, particularly plants, soil, and nearby water systems.
To reduce the environmental impact of grit salt:
- Apply only the recommended amount.
- Target key areas rather than entire surfaces.
- Clear excess salt once conditions improve.
Create a Winter Maintenance Plan
As you may have realised, preparation is the key to safe winter operations! A simple winter maintenance plan will help you tackle icy conditions, and should include.
- Monitoring weather forecasts daily.
- Identifying priority areas.
- Ensuring that somebody is responsible for gritting.
- Monitoring overnight conditions and reapplying grit salt as needed.
- Keeping equipment and winter supplies stocked.
Salt spreading is a vital part of winter safety, but its effectiveness depends on timing, technique, and preparation. By understanding how grit salt works and planning, you can reduce risks, control costs, and keep spaces accessible throughout the colder months.
With our range of Grit Bins and Salt, you can stay prepared and keep safe, whether that’s domestic salt spreading or you’re managing a large site or public space. If you have any questions or would like more information on any of the above, simply contact our team. We’re here to help and support your winter safety needs!
For more resources, including product guides and general advice, visit the Kingfisher Direct Blog.
