NOAA normal Minneapolis–St. Paul averages about 51.2 inches of snow a seasonMinneapolis rule Commercial properties have 4 daytime hours after snow ends to clear walksMPCA Minnesota's Smart Salting certification trains applicators to use less saltDeicer chemistry Rock salt slows sharply below about 15°F pavementEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itNOAA normal Minneapolis–St. Paul averages about 51.2 inches of snow a seasonMinneapolis rule Commercial properties have 4 daytime hours after snow ends to clear walksMPCA Minnesota's Smart Salting certification trains applicators to use less saltDeicer chemistry Rock salt slows sharply below about 15°F pavementEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › Sunlight, shade and colored salt

Sunlight, shade and colored salt

How solar gain drives melting, why shaded spots fail first, and what dyed salt really does.

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The sun is the best deicer you don't pay for. Knowing where it hits and where it doesn't tells you where to put material first.

Solar gain

Dark asphalt absorbs sunlight, so a sunny pavement can run well above the air temperature, and salt works noticeably better there in daylight.1 The flip side: shaded walks, the north sides of buildings, canopies and parking ramps get none of that help, and they're where ice lingers and refreezes first. Overcast days and low winter sun angles in December and January cut solar help sharply.

Route tip: hit the shaded, sloped and high-traffic spots first (entrances, ramps, ADA routes, north walks). Sunny open pavement will often finish itself by midday with less material.

What colored salt actually does

Treated salt is usually dyed (blue, green or reddish) so you can see it.2 Be skeptical of claims that dye melts much more ice by absorbing sunlight. The real benefits are practical:

  • You can see coverage. Operators can see gaps and stop double-dipping, which cuts over-application.
  • Clients can see the work. A blue entrance tells the property manager the walk was done.
  • Photos prove it. A time-stamped photo of colored material on the walk is far stronger documentation than a photo of wet pavement.

The liquid treatment on the salt is what makes it work colder and bounce less. The color makes it visible.2

Next in the guideDocumentation for slip-and-fall liability →

Sources

  1. MPCA, Smart Salting training
  2. Clear Roads, Winter Maintenance Guidebook (pre-wet rates, bounce and scatter)

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.

Talk to real snow people

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Talk to people who've run plows at 3 a.m. We know what it's like when the shed is empty, the radar is lit up and your clients expect dry walks by 7. Tell us what you need, and you'll get a straight answer and a written quote, not a sales pitch.

  • Fast delivery. Bulk dropped at your site, sized to your season, so you don't need a salt barn.
  • Storm-night loading. Extended loading hours when a big event hits.
  • Storm-priority list. Get in line for resupply before the storm, not during it.
  • See it first. Ask for a yard visit and see the treated salt in person.
  • Fall pre-buy and seasonal contracts. Lock in tons before the first flake.

Quotes are answered by a wholesale supplier serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Twin Cities metro. Final prices, minimums and delivery area are on your written quote.

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