Ice pretreatments involve the use of new technology to guard ground-level surfaces against the buildup of ice. That means using liquid deicing agents to coat a paved or hardscaped surface with a thin layer of material which will prevent the accumulation of ice on that surface. This approach is further complemented by thorough and regular snow plowing to remove accumulated snow as soon as it collects on the surface.
An ice pretreatment is a chemical that is mixed into water and sprayed onto a parking lot, entryway, sidewalk, or any other surface where people will drive their cars or walk. Once applied, the water-diluted ice pretreatment spreads across the paved surface. The water quickly evaporates due to the pretreatment chemicals, leaving a thin coating of dried pretreatment on the paved surface. Just like that, the surface is fully coated and ready to melt any impending snow or freezing rain that might touch it.
The layer of pretreatment acts as a barrier between freezing events and the pavement beneath. Snow, hail, sleet, or freezing rain could strike against the pretreatment, but it won’t break through and attach to the pavement underneath. The precipitation hits the pretreatment and dries right there, keeping paved surfaces free of ice, standing water, snow, slush, etc.