The UK is currently in the grip of winter and with warnings of snow and ice on the way, knowing the correct way to grit your path or road can potentially be a lifesaver. It’s crucial that you’re prepared in the event of snow and icy conditions, particularly if you have private business premises or if you get up early in the morning for work when it’s particularly icy.

When work requires you to travel in these conditions, slippery snow and ice can pose a threat to the safety of yourself, your colleges and visitors alike, so it’s important that you take precautions to minimise the risk.

In this blog, we’ll get right down to the ‘nitty gritty’ of keeping your business premises and home safe this winter and explain the correct and proper way to grit your paths or road using our high-quality white gritting salt.

This is different from the usual rock salt, as it won’t leave the same residue and mess behind. It’s a brilliant choice for all areas, but it’s also best suited to areas where high-standards if hygiene and cleanliness are important such as retail outlets, schools, hospitals and it also ideal and an easy choice for domestic use.

So, if you’re in need of some white gritting salt Swindon this winter, please feel free to call us on 01793 536784 and a member of staff will be more than happy to talk you through our stock and help you choose all that you need to be stocked up and ready.

What is Gritting Salt?

You may recognise gritting salt as the grit you usually see spread on outdoor services during the winter months, especially by the council using large gritting trucks.

This gritting salt is applied to paths and roads, to quickly lower the freezing point of the water, therefore causing any existing ice or snow to melt quickly

Once this grit gets some footfall, and people start to walk or drive over it, the salt will be ground down and it’ll become a saline solution. This ice and salt mixture will then disappear down any nearby drains.

What is the Best Way to Grit a Surface?

When it comes to gritting a surface, it’s best to take into account the official ‘snow code‘ which was issued by the UK Government in 2012:

• Clear the top layer of fresh loose snow early in the morning. Any ice underneath will then be melted by the sunshine. Then cover the path with salt at night to prevent it re-freezing.
• Never use water as this can potentially cause black ice
• Always use gritting salt (effective down to -10∘C).Around a tablespoon for each square metre being covered. Don’t use it in excess as this can potentially cause a hazard
• Sand or ash won’t work as well as gritting salt but may provide some grip if this is all you have.
• Don’t block drains or paths with cleared snow.
• Make a clear path to work from down the centre and shovel the snow to the sides.
• Pay extra attention to any steps or inclines
• Gritting bins are for public areas only. If the bin is damaged or needs reporting do report it to your local council either online or on the phone.
• Offer to clear snow and do some gritting for those with health problems, disabilities and elderly neighbours.

When is the Best Time to Grit a Path?

The most effective time to distribute grit over a path is early in the morning. This is because it’s not only much easier to remove fresh, loose snow but gritting in the morning will ensure the ground is ready ahead of any early morning traffic or pedestrians.

It is also recommended to re-grit the surface in the evening, not only in advance of the peak traffic flows and people leaving work for the day but also to prevent the ice from re-freezing over as the evening temperatures begin to fall.

It’s also a good idea to keep a close eye on any weather forecasts and weather warnings, so you know whether any rain or snow is coming.

Gritting Salt Swindon

Here at Sansums, we have been supplying Gritting Salt Swindon since back in 1972. We’ve expanded hugely since the company was first created back then and we’ve helped many customers source the gardening supplies they need over the years.

So, if you’re searching for a trustworthy company with the right experience who’ll supply you with high-quality gritting salt in Swindon – Sansums is the best choice. We don’t just stock gritting salt either, we also stock insulation and a range of gardening supplies such as block paving, decorative gravel and building aggregates to help you create the garden space you’ve always wanted.

So, to stock up on your gritting salt in Swindon this winter, be sure to get in touch with our professional team here in Swindon by giving us a call on 01793 536784, they’ll be more than happy to talk you through our range of stock and help you select everything you need to stay safe this winter.