Snow and Ice Management Glossary

Snow and Ice Management Glossary

Deicing
Deicing refers to treatment methods that are applied AFTER snow events to melt areas that have experienced snow and ice build-up.

Ice Melt
Ice Melt is a solid deicer made up of salts and chemicals that are sprinkled to melt accumulated snow and ice.

Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride is a water-soluble salt solution that is used in brine mixtures to prevent snow and ice from sticking to road surfaces. Magnesium Chloride is safe for humans, but large doses are toxic to plants.

Molasses
Molasses is often added to brine, acting as a stabilizer so that the salt and water do not separate. It allows better adhesion to pavement surfaces and is less corrosive to vehicles than salt. An alternative to molasses is beet brine, but molasses is less bulky and doesn’t plug up equipment as much.

Pickle Mix
Pickle mix is a combination of 7mm pebbles and rock salt to provide traction and melts snow and ice.

Pre-treating
Pre-treating is the application of ice melting treatment before a weather event occurs. Pre-treatment options melt the first inch or two of snow and prevent snow from sticking to pavement surfaces for easier clearing.

Rock Salt
See: Sodium Chloride

Snow Hauling
Hauling snow away from properties that are cleared of snow (e.g. parking lots) is an alternative to leaving snow piles on site. More reading: Should You Create Snow Piles in Your Parking Lot?

Sodium Chloride
Sodium Chloride (rock salt) is a water-soluble salt that is used in brine mixtures to lower the freezing temperature of water (or snow). Sodium Chloride is safe for humans, but large doses are toxic to plants.

Deicing
Deicing refers to treatment methods that are applied AFTER snow events to melt areas that have experienced snow and ice build-up.

Ice Melt
Ice Melt is a solid deicer made up of salts and chemicals that are sprinkled to melt accumulated snow and ice.

Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride is a water-soluble salt solution that is used in brine mixtures to prevent snow and ice from sticking to road surfaces. Magnesium Chloride is safe for humans, but large doses are toxic to plants.

Molasses
Molasses is often added to brine, acting as a stabilizer so that the salt and water do not separate. It allows better adhesion to pavement surfaces and is less corrosive to vehicles than salt. An alternative to molasses is beet brine, but molasses is less bulky and doesn’t plug up equipment as much.

Pickle Mix
Pickle mix is a combination of 7mm pebbles and rock salt to provide traction and melts snow and ice.

Pre-treating¨C14CPre-treating is the application of ice melting treatment before a weather event occurs. Pre-treatment options melt the first inch or two of snow and prevent snow from sticking to pavement surfaces for easier clearing.

Contact us if you are in need of a Calgary snow removal contractor.

Author

Jesse Pentland

Project Manager · Landscape Construction · Snow/Ice Management: Sidewalks
8
articles
Since 2026
At LECM
Working on a property plan?
Talk to our team about year-round maintenance for your commercial property.
Request an Estimate

Keep reading

All articles
blog we assume liability Property Management Snow Removal Is Not the Product.Risk Protection Is. Mar 4, 2026 first 48 hours snow event calgary Snow & Ice The First 48 Hours (When It Snows…) Oct 19, 2023 snow piles in parking lots Paving & Concrete Should You Create Snow Piles in Your Parking Lot? Mar 17, 2021