De-Icing and Salting Services in Fairhaven, MA

De-Icing and Salting That Prevents Accidents

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Plowed parking lots still create liability when ice forms overnight. Black ice develops from freeze-thaw cycles. Light snow turns into compacted ice under foot traffic. Property owners get sued when people slip and fall on icy surfaces, even after snow removal happens.

 

We've been providing commercial de-icing and salting in Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, New Bedford, and Dartmouth for 35 years. We salt parking lots, walkways, sidewalks, entrances, and any area where ice can form. This happens after plowing, during light snow events, and on cold nights when ice formation is likely.

 

Commercial properties in New Bedford's South End, downtown New Bedford, New Bedford Industrial Park, and throughout Fairhaven need reliable de-icing to prevent accidents. One slip and fall lawsuit costs more than years of professional salting service.

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Commercial Parking Lot Salting

 

Parking lot salting prevents ice formation on paved surfaces after snow removal. We apply rock salt using truck-mounted sanders immediately after plowing. This melts remaining snow and prevents pavement from freezing into solid ice.

 

Salt works by lowering water's freezing point. Instead of freezing at 32 degrees, salted surfaces stay liquid at lower temperatures. This prevents ice from bonding to pavement.

 

We salt all traffic lanes, parking spaces, and drive aisles. Properties need complete coverage, not just main routes. Ice forms anywhere moisture exists.

 

Properties along Purchase Street, Hathaway Road, Acushnet Avenue, Kempton Street, and Potomska Street need consistent salting to maintain safe parking. Retail locations, medical facilities, and office buildings all face liability when parking lots ice over.

 

Application rates depend on temperature and conditions. Colder temperatures need a heavier application. Light applications work for prevention. Heavy applications handle existing ice.

 

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Walkway and Sidewalk Salting

 

Walkway and sidewalk salting uses pet-friendly ice melt products designed for pedestrian areas. We use a different salt for walkways than for parking lots because people and pets have direct contact with these surfaces.

 

Our walkway salt melts ice without causing paw irritation or tracking harmful chemicals into buildings. This matters for businesses where customers bring pets or employees walk multiple times daily.

 

We hand-spread salt on sidewalks, walkways, building entrances, and any area cleared by shoveling or blowing. Hand spreading provides precise coverage for pedestrian surfaces.

 

Properties in downtown New Bedford with significant sidewalk frontage need regular walkway salting to keep public sidewalks safe.

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Ice Prevention Applications

 

Ice Prevention applications happen before storms to prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement. We apply salt to parking lots and walkways before precipitation starts. This creates a barrier that keeps snow from sticking (if its only a dusting of snow.)

 

Pre-storm salting works best for light snow events and freezing rain. The salt is already on the surface when precipitation begins, preventing initial bonding.

 

We monitor weather forecasts and spread salt when conditions warrant. This approach prevents problems instead of reacting after ice forms.

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Post-Storm De-Icing

 

Post-storm de-icing removes ice remaining after plowing and prevents new ice formation. We salt immediately after plowing while equipment is still on-site. This handles any ice and snow leftover and prevents overnight refreezing.

 

Plowing creates ice in two ways. Plow blades compress snow into ice on pavement. Snow left behind melts during the day and refreezes at night. Salting after plowing prevents both problems.

 

We apply heavier rates after major storms when significant ice remains. Light applications work after minor snow events.

 

Temperature affects salt effectiveness. Regular rock salt works down to about 15 degrees. Below that, we use a salt formulated with Calcium Chloride for extreme temperatures, effective down to -20°F

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Freeze-Thaw Cycle Management

 

Freeze-thaw cycle management prevents ice formation during temperature swings. Massachusetts winters bring frequent cycles where temperatures rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night.

 

These cycles create the worst ice conditions. Snow melts during warm afternoons. Water pools in low spots. Everything freezes solid overnight when temperatures drop.

 

We salt when forecasts show freeze-thaw conditions. Application happens during afternoon warm periods before evening freeze. This prevents water from refreezing into dangerous ice sheets.

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Black Ice Prevention

 

Black ice prevention treats surfaces during conditions that create invisible ice. Black ice forms when moisture on pavement freezes into thin transparent layers. Drivers and pedestrians can't see it until they're sliding.

 

Clear cold nights after snow events create black ice conditions. Melted snow refreezes into thin sheets. Fog and mist freeze on cold pavement. Both create dangerous surfaces that look dry.

 

We monitor conditions and salt proactively when black ice is likely. This typically means cold, clear nights following storms or warm periods. 

 

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Why Commercial Properties Need De-Icing and Salting

 

Slip and fall liability makes de-icing legally necessary. Property owners face lawsuits when anyone falls on icy surfaces. Professional salting with documentation provides legal protection.

 

Customer and employee safety requires ice-free surfaces. People arriving at icy parking lots and walkways face injury risk. Properties must provide safe access regardless of the weather.

 

Business continuity depends on accessible properties. Customers won't risk icy parking lots. Employees can't work when access is hazardous. Salting keeps businesses operational during winter weather.

 

ADA compliance requires accessible routes to stay ice-free. Accessible parking spaces and ramps must stay usable. Ice-covered accessible routes violate federal regulations.

Massachusetts law requires snow and ice removal within a reasonable time, typically just a few hours after storms end. Failure to do so can result in fines..

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Getting Started with De-Icing and Salting

 

Call 508-763-8000 or email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com for a free estimate.

 

35 years in business. Local crew based at 232 Huttleston Avenue in Fairhaven. Family-owned. We're the caring professionals.