Snow and ice? Five myths about road gritting, busted

IF your local roads and highways have turned white with the onset of winter weather, you’ll also notice the return of gritting lorries. But what is that brown stuff that comes out of the back of the gritting lorries? And how does it clear snow and ice? We’ve spoken to specialist operators The Gritting Company to dispel five myths about road gritting. Sit tight, and take a non-skidding drive through some of the myths.

Myth 1: The winter wagons contain grit.

Untrue.  It’s not grit, it’s salt. The small stones that make up grit can leave a sticky residue with the risk of a slippery road surface. Grit can also block drains as it washes away.  The alternative is salt.  Brown rock salt (which is often mistaken for grit) is generally spread on large road surfaces because it is more economical. White salt is more expensive and is more often used in the grounds of schools, hospitals and business parks, as it leaves less residue on floors and carpets when trodden in by pedestrians.

Myth 2: Salt will melt ice at any temperature.

Not true.  Salt works by lowering the temperature at which water will freeze, and this prevents ice forming on the roads. The more concentrated the salt, the lower the freezing point, but salt is less effective below minus five degrees Celsius. At lower temperatures, ice and snow treated with salt melt less quickly.

Myth 3: Once the salt has been spread on the road the ice will melt immediately.

False. The de-icing effect relies on the salt being crushed and spread by the passing vehicles’ tyres.  If the traffic is light, then the salted ice on the road will take longer to melt.

Myth 4: Deep snow on roads will melt quickly with salt spread on it. 

Not true. Salt works best on snow that is less than 4cm, and the traffic is needed to help distribute the salt.

Myth 5: It’s too cold for snow.

True, but unlikely in the UK. Yes, there is a link between the temperature of the air and how much water it can hold. But this is only true when the temperature plummets beneath minus 40 degrees Celsius, which does not usually happen in the UK. When this temperature is reached, the air has so little moisture in it that snow can rarely form.