Heres How To Successfully Complete DIY Winter Gritting

With more cold and icy conditions on the way many businesses and facilities in the UK are forced to focus on DIY winter gritting to keep premises safe and operational. Click here if you want to know what’s causing the current cold snap.

Winter Gritting is the process of spreading de-icing salt or gravel on icy surfaces to make them safer for walking and driving. While gritting can be a valuable way to prevent accidents, it is important to do it safely and correctly.

If you are considering doing this yourself with you in-house team, here are four things you need to seriously consider.

Environmental Winter Gritting

Be mindful of the environment when gritting. Avoid excessive use of salt, as it can harm vegetation and contaminate water sources.

Follow local guidelines for responsible gritting practices to minimise environmental impact. Too much will be wasteful and could damage the surface you are gritting. Too little grit will not be effective at preventing ice from forming. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 20-40 grams of grit per square meter. 40 Grams is about a fistful of material.

It is important to spread the grit evenly over the surface you are gritting. This will ensure that all areas of the surface are protected. You can use a hand gritter or a spreader to apply the grit. If you are using a hand gritter, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection. If you are using a spreader, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Click here for more information on how de-icing salt can be used in an environmental way.

The correct de-icing materials

There are two main types of gritting mediums used in the UK: white salt , and rock salt (known as “grit”). White salt is the purest, and leaves no residue.

Rock salt is the cheapest, still effective at melting ice but tends to stain carpets. When choosing your gritting medium, it is important to consider the surface you are gritting. Salt and rock salt are suitable for most surfaces, but can be corrosive to metal – it is better to buy in a specialist medium for metal.

Winter gritting at the right time

They say in life timing is everything,

It is best to grit before the ice has formed. This will help to prevent the ice from forming in the first place. If you wait until the ice has formed, it will be more difficult to remove. Early intervention is key to preventing ice formation, so keep a close eye on weather forecasts. Aim to grit surfaces in the late afternoon or early evening, as this gives the salt time to activate before temperatures drop overnight.

Consistency and record keeping 

Establish a regular gritting schedule to maintain consistent coverage throughout the winter months. This proactive approach is more effective than sporadic applications and helps prevent the accumulation of ice on surfaces.

Keep a log of all your gritting activities, noting the date, time, and quantity of grit used. This documentation can be valuable for demonstrating that you met your duty of care if facing legal challenges for a slip or a trip.

Remember, if you are unsure about how to grit your premises safely and correctly, it is always best to hire a professional company.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your premises are safe for everyone during the winter months. Alternatively, you can contact a professional gritting company to make sure that all of this is done for you.

Winter Gritting Quotation