Ice Management, Salting & Sanding
Ice is more dangerous than snow — and harder to see. Professional ice management protects your customers, employees, and residents while reducing your liability exposure throughout the Ontario winter season.
Why Ice Is Ontario's Most Dangerous Winter Hazard
In Central Ontario, freezing rain events and the daily freeze-thaw cycle create black ice — transparent, nearly invisible ice that forms on pavement that looks perfectly clear. Black ice forms most commonly in the morning hours when temperatures drop overnight, and again in the late afternoon when snowmelt from warmer daytime temperatures refreezes as the sun goes down.
Snow is visible. People slow down. Ice is invisible, and people don't see it coming. A parking lot that was plowed clean at 6 AM can develop a dangerous ice sheet by 8 AM as meltwater from pushed snow banks flows back across the surface and refreezes. Managing this cycle requires active monitoring, not just a single plow pass per storm.
At Northern Lakes Contracting, our ice management approach is proactive. We apply ice control materials before conditions become dangerous — not after someone has fallen. We monitor temperature forecasts, apply pre-treatment before freezing rain events, and return for post-storm salting to address the re-freeze window that occurs after every plow service.
Proactive — Not Reactive
We treat before conditions become dangerous, not after.
Our Ice Management Approach
Effective ice control is a science, not just throwing salt on the ground. Here is how we do it right.
Temperature Monitoring
We track pavement temperatures, not just air temperatures. Pavement temperature is what determines whether ice will form — it can be several degrees colder than the air, especially on concrete and asphalt in shaded areas.
Pre-Treatment Strategy
Before a forecast freezing rain event, we apply salt or anti-icing brine to critical surfaces. This creates a barrier between the ice and the pavement, preventing bonding and making removal significantly easier.
Salt Application Rates
We use calibrated spreaders to apply the right amount of salt — enough to be effective, not so much that it causes unnecessary environmental runoff or concrete damage. Proper rate application is both more effective and more responsible.
Sand & Grit Application
At extreme temperatures where salt loses effectiveness (below -10°C), or in environmentally sensitive areas, we apply sand or grit for immediate friction without relying on the chemical melting action of salt.
Post-Storm Follow-Up
The most dangerous ice window is the 2 to 4 hours after plowing, when snow pushed to the sides begins to melt and flow back across the lot, then refreezes. Our post-plow salt application specifically addresses this window.
Sidewalk Priority
Pedestrian surfaces — sidewalks, building entrances, stairs — are treated with fine sand/salt mixes using walk-behind spreaders for precise, targeted application. These surfaces receive separate attention from paved vehicle areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers about ice management, salting, and sanding in Orillia, Muskoka, and Simcoe County.