If you use crane mats throughout the winter on your construction sites, you might be tempted to use rock salt to keep snow and ice from becoming an issue. This is an extremely bad idea, though, as rock salt can eat away at the wood that crane mats are made of, degrading them over time. It could put those who work on your site at risk and make the crane mats unusable within a matter of just weeks.
Fortunately, there are plenty of acceptable alternatives that will keep your crane mats clear without doing damage to them.
Calcium magnesium acetate is one of the best options for those looking to prevent ice from forming on crane mats.
Calcium magnesium acetate is a deicer that has been found to be about as corrosive as tap water, so you won’t have to worry about it doing extensive damage to wood surfaces when applied properly. It’s just as easy to find as rock salt.
Another way to combat ice during construction is to cover your mats whenever you’re not actively working on them.
This can be done with a series of tarps, removed each morning along with any snowfall or ice accumulation. You will need to cover all mats at the end of each night, but the improved safety and speed of cleaning snow from your mats can make this a compelling solution.
Last, there’s always shoveling.
While this can be a more labor-intensive process, shoveling off mats gets rid of your snow and ice while not requiring rock salt or other chemical deicers that can wear away and damage wood. If you want to ensure the longevity of the mats for the life of your project, choosing a chemical-free method to clear away snow and ice will help protect your mats, as well as your crew and equipment.
Crane mats from Ritter Forest Products are designed to provide heavy-duty support on even the toughest of job sites. If you are preparing to begin a project that could benefit from the use of crane mats, we offer a crane mats for sale and rent in a range of sizes to suit any task.
Request a quote from us online now or contact our team today to discuss your crane mat needs with one of our experts!
