Winter weather in Utah can be harsh, and it’s important to take proactive steps to keep your outdoor spaces safe and accessible. According to BYU’s winter weather safety report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has recorded over 20,000 workplace injuries related to ice, sleet, and snow every year, with Utah having one of the highest incident rates.
A secret that many people aren’t aware of is the combination of landscaping sand and ice melt salt, a highly effective solution that has been used by landscapers for years. While ice melt breaks down ice, sand provides traction, making walkways and driveways safer. Kilgore Landscape Center, known for its extensive selection of landscaping materials and salt products, offers these essential winter solutions for homeowners and businesses.
Why Landscaping Sand Works
Landscaping sand, such as Kilgore’s Beach Sand, Play Sand and Bedding Sand, are popular options for winter safety. Although ice melt salt effectively melts ice, sand adds traction to slippery surfaces. The University of Wisconsin notes that “sand and other abrasives improve vehicle traction on snow and ice-covered roads.” Sand is especially useful on driveways, walkways, and patios, where preventing slips and falls is a priority.
Bedding Sand is best for leveling surfaces and creating a solid foundation, but it also creates great traction on icy areas. Similarly, beach sand and play sand, typically used in playgrounds and sandboxes, are clean, easy to spread, and eco-friendly, making them perfect for winterizing surfaces.
Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center offers these sands all year round for landscapers, contractors and homeowners to help improve the safety of driveways, walkways, and patios during winter.
Why Ice Melt Salt Works
When it comes to dealing with snow and ice, ice melt salt is a must-have product for anyone in Utah. Purdue University explains that ice melt works through a process is known as freezing point depression. Kilgore Landscape Center offers a wide range of ice melt salt products with different ingredients designed for different needs. Whether you’re managing a small driveway or large parking lots, there are many options to help you maintain clear, safe surfaces.
One of the most popular options is bulk road salt, which is best for large spaces like parking lots and roads. Kilgore’s Bulk Road Salt Type C White works well with spreaders for fast and efficient coverage and is treated with magnesium chloride to prevent crusting and clogging. It can melt ice down to 0ºF, making it effective in most winter conditions.
Kilgore also offers several packaged ice melt products like Ice Bomb Ice Melt, Polar Ice Melt, and Purple Heat Ice Melt, which come in bulk pallets or individual bags for residential or commercial use.
Ice Bomb Ice Melt is priced at $7 per 50 lb bag and is perfect for smaller areas like sidewalks and residential walkways. Its purple dye helps ensure controlled application, which reduces waste and provides immediate traction.
Polar Ice Melt is designed for extreme cold temperatures, melting ice down to -25ºF. It’s pet and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for use in both large commercial spaces and residential properties. Priced at $379 per pallet, this product is an ideal solution for areas that experience prolonged cold spells.
Purple Heat Ice Melt, priced at $9.75 per 50 lb bag, is another excellent choice. It’s effective down to -15ºF, safe for concrete, and also contains a purple dye for precise application. This product is perfect for both residential and commercial use and is particularly helpful for Utah’s extreme winter conditions.
Combining Landscaping Sand and Ice Melt Salt
When used together, landscaping sand and ice melt salt provide an unbeatable combination for keeping your property safe in the winter. While ice melt salt works to break down and melt ice, sand provides the crucial traction needed on slippery surfaces.
Using sand not only improves traction but also helps reduce road salt’s impact on surfaces, preventing concrete cracks and deterioration. By using sand, you can minimize salt usage, preserving surface integrity. Additionally, sand is environmentally friendly, staying in place and avoiding harm to soil, vegetation, or water sources. For those concerned about environmental impact, sand is an ideal complement to ice melt salt for winter safety.
Kilgore Landscape Center’s Winter Safety Products
Kilgore Landscape Center, also known as Asphalt Materials, has been serving the community with high-quality landscaping materials and products for over 40 years. They are a trusted source for all your winter safety needs, offering a wide variety of landscaping sand, bulk road salt, and ice melt salt products.
Kilgore’s range of winter products includes Bedding Sand, Beach Sand/Play Sand, and Bulk Road Salt in various quantities. They also offer several forms of ice melt salt, including Polar Ice Melt, Purple Heat Ice Melt, and Ice Bomb Ice Melt. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or municipality, Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center has the products you need to keep your property safe and accessible during the coldest months.
