---
title: Deicer Application Rates
description: Discover the application rates for anti-icing and deicing products, when to use them and how much.
image: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_mfk8aqG0VL143YqRkASvTSOMKv3hOfsIeXYRzYOrFhrr8_hbF_5eQ1wr2vw-K1hysXZjX-4pVoXuosCUCcN1aw82d4NyAiw8fiNi_60KJORp-3ez8n98yy1TJ7E9OHFlUBGCuLXsHciLu9HrVciWvk
---

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# EnviroTech Journal

**Check out all the latest industry tips and tricks coming straight to you from   
the experts at EnviroTech Services.**

# Deicer Application Rates

Posted by [Guest Blogger Brooke Loeffler](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/author/guest-blogger-brooke-loeffler) on 2.14.2023

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

Knowing how much deicer to use is one of the most important skills a snow fighting crew can have. There are a lot of dynamic factors of the road that determine how much to use, so let’s go over some basic guidelines. 

![Deicer truck](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_mfk8aqG0VL143YqRkASvTSOMKv3hOfsIeXYRzYOrFhrr8_hbF_5eQ1wr2vw-K1hysXZjX-4pVoXuosCUCcN1aw82d4NyAiw8fiNi_60KJORp-3ez8n98yy1TJ7E9OHFlUBGCuLXsHciLu9HrVciWvk)  

## **Deicer Application Rates Matter**

Every day and storm are different, so fine tuning application rates should be an ongoing process. Using the right amount of deicer gives you optimal performance, savings, and a cleaner roadside environment.

### *Performance*

Deicer products have a performance range in which they create brine to melt ice and snow. This brine is a chemical ***solution*** containing: a ***solute*** (solid deicer) dissolved in a ***solvent*** (water).

- Weak solutions trigger a refreeze: not enough solute, too much solvent
- Over saturated solutions also trigger a refreeze: too much solute falls out of solution

Knowing the [eutectic temperatures](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/faq-about-pre-wetting-deicer-0) of your chosen product will help you find its peak performance range.           

![application rates](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Smufk2g3Vzskqkr4nVVl5mgsEqAa01p-PO09OULxSL6MzjEEUN420Ta8duGpLfalgt3P5TPqcWo2C-uh0iu-M7DqXlfRvDo1-dOIl98XLt43-OrP2-QwBrxmm3D6MICqaDndLBq9vf91AO1iGl5NZqU)

### *Economy*

Paying careful attention to deicer application rates protects your budget in a lot of ways.

- Prevents product waste and over application
- Reduces the need for additional passes: lower fuel costs, less wear and tear on vehicles, etc.
- Improves your ability to manage stockpiles: helps you plan out your season more efficiently to avoid rush and emergency ordering and keep your crews running

Teams typically purchase products by looking at ***cost per ton***. However, the metrics of ***cost per storm*** or ***cost per lane mile*** more accurately reflect the value of a deicing product. After a storm, evaluate how many lane miles you reached to see if either your purchase choices or your application rates need to be adjusted. 

### *Environment*

Everything applied to road surfaces enters the environment to some extent. However, balancing public safety with environmental responsibility while maintaining winter roads is possible. It is important to remember:

- Overapplying deicer increases the amount of chlorides running off into the soil and attracts more grazing animals to the roadside.
- Over ***and*** underapplying deicer can trigger refreezing and cause accidents which are also harmful to the environment

## **How to Use the Right Amount of Deicer**

Responsible deicer application starts with a baseline average rate that can be adjusted based on a storm and traffic conditions.

### *Calibrate Equipment*

Calibrating spreading equipment disperses deicer evenly and at the preferred rate per lane mile.

- Click [here](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/calibrate-while-using-ice-slicer) for our calibrating tutorial

Check calibration regularly so you don’t waste valuable product.

### *Follow Supplier Recommendations*

Check your deicer supplier’s recommended application rates and remember that further fine tuning is needed.

Ice Slicer® application rates typically start around 150-200 pounds per lane mile, but should be increased or decreased as needed.

### *When To Increase Deicer Application*

Deicer application rates can be ***increased*** under the following conditions:

![increase application rates](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/k1DWQ67swRGSIwKQukYjNK8WbW8YEPNNuMr1vW2rVO35ph4Ex6d0scG1FTr21tp6rYsS0m5x2_86F8USWA4FPI1UmFVWeKW4-SLI5zmfF3aud6X_agSwOQ0FjHkh4GYxhAi1Mh3KJhwwuWOAE0rRPdQ)

 

- During times of heavy traffic flow: According to the[Minnesota Department of Transportation](https://mntransportationresearch.org/2018/07/19/salt-brine-study-shows-truck-traffic-drives-deicer-effectiveness/) *"brine is spread more by traffic spray and snowplow throw than by storm runoff."* Normal vehicle traffic can initially help break down ice and snow and help with the brining process, but does reach a point of diminishing returns as brine is wicked away more quickly under heavier traffic
- Lower temperatures 
- Higher precipitation
- When road surfaces still have stubborn, leftover ice and bare pavement has not been achieved

### *When to Decrease Deicer Application*

Deicer application rates can be ***decreased*** under the following conditions:

![decrease application rates ](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Vc6U4p3agLYvcBYvZon1pZmAyTYbeTzG4InQmbmqvq7EPv1i66Ry2MhVXc519MG7zUxQgwVAlLt9AXrgZ9lHoF585t5F8kFRZ7Re4StthJvSuhTzoKrD5p2n_VsStMh9bk6uysAD7qh40XDSZ4eI6Co)

- During times of very light traffic flow
- Higher temperatures
- Lower precipitation
- A lot of excess product is left on road surface after bare pavement has been achieved

## **More Snowfighting Tools From EnviroTech Services**

We are proud to partner with road management teams across the country to keep drivers safe all winter long. In addition to offering Ice Slicer®, we also provide other tools for success to help snowfighters get the job done.

Click on the links below for more resources for your shed:

- [How to choose a product based on storm conditions](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/how-to-choose-product-based-on-storm-conditions)
- [FAQ about pre-wetting deicer treatments](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/faq-about-pre-wetting-deicer)
- [When to fill your shed](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/when-to-fill-your-shed)

 Topics: [Deicing Products](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/deicing-products), [Deicing & Anti-Icing](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/deicing-anti-icing), [Environmental](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/environmental), [Safety](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/safety), [Industrial/Commercial](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/industrial-commercial), [Government Markets](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/government-markets), [Ice Slicer](https://hs.envirotechservices.com/blog/topic/ice-slicer)

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