Keeping It Clear: How Road Salt Helps Cities Stay Safe and Snow-Free

Winter in Utah delivers its own unique blend of beauty, adventure, and, of course, snowstorms that can turn roads slick and hazardous in a matter of minutes. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to school, or simply running errands, safe roads are essential. That’s where road salt comes in. At Kilgore Landscape Center, we provide the high-quality bulk road salt and ice melt products that keep our communities moving, even when the weather turns icy.

Here’s a breakdown of how road salt actually works, why cities rely on it, and how our Salt Lake landscape center products play a vital role in winter safety across the Wasatch Front.

How Road Salt Works: The Science Behind It

To understand why ice melt salt is so effective, it helps to know a little bit of chemistry. Ice forms when water reaches 32°F (0°C). Road salt disrupts this process by lowering the freezing point of water—a scientific concept known as freezing point depression. When salt is spread on roads or walkways, it dissolves into any moisture present, preventing ice from forming or helping break down ice that has already formed.

In practical terms, this means that salty water can stay liquid in temperatures well below freezing, allowing it to melt existing snow and ice. Standard bulk road salt typically works down to about 15°F to 20°F, but other specialized blends can melt ice at temperatures as low as –15°F. That’s a game changer here in Utah, where winter temperatures commonly drop below the teens.

Why Cities Depend on Road Salt During Winter

Municipalities across the country rely on road salt for many important reasons:

1. Safety First

Salt is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools for reducing winter road hazards. It helps prevent accidents by improving traction and keeping roads from becoming solid sheets of ice. According to the Roadway Safety Foundation, road salting and plowing can reduce injury crashes by up to 88%. When plows and salt trucks work together, roads clear faster and stay safer.

2. Keeps Traffic Moving

Salt helps prevent gridlock by clearing the way for cars, buses, and emergency vehicles. Without effective de-icing, even minor snowstorms could cause major disruptions for cities, especially in areas with heavy commuter traffic like Salt Lake County.

3. Protects City Budgets

Compared to other de-icing options, salt road is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. Cities have limited budgets for snow management, and salt provides one of the most cost-effective solutions for maintaining safe driving conditions through unpredictable winter storms.

4. Works Quickly and Efficiently

Unlike some chemical de-icers that require specific conditions to activate, salt starts working as soon as moisture is present. It pairs perfectly with snowplows, helping break down packed snow and thick ice layers so plows can remove them efficiently.

Kilgore Landscape Center: Your Local Source for Road Salt and Ice Melt

Kilgore Landscape Center has proudly served the Salt Lake Valley since 1975. When winter hits, our customers know us best for our top-quality road salts and ice melt products, which are available to the public and commercial customers alike. Whether you need a bag, a pallet, or a full truckload, our Salt Lake landscape center can get you the winter products you need, when you need them.

Bulk Road Salt for Municipal, Commercial & Personal Use

If you’re searching for road salt near you, you’ll find our West Jordan location ready to supply both bulk and bagged options. Our road salt is effective, dependable, and ideal for:

• Cities and municipalities
  
  

• Property managers
  
  

• Construction companies
  
  

• Homeowners who want to stock up before a storm
  
  

We can help you load up on-site or schedule a delivery—whichever works best for you.

If you have newer concrete or want a more protective option, we also offer concrete-safe ice melts specially formulated to minimize freeze-thaw damage. These products help prevent surface spalling, cracking, or discoloration, which can be common when untreated ice repeatedly freezes and thaws.

Why Quality Matters When Choosing Road Salt

Not all ice melt products are created equal. Lower-quality salts may clump, leave residue, or fail to melt ice efficiently at lower temperatures. High-purity products like ours at Kilgore Landscape Center provide:

• Consistent grain size for even coverage
  
  

• Better moisture control, preventing clumping
  
  

• Higher melting power, even in extreme conditions
  
  

Investing in a better product means using less salt overall, achieving faster melting, and protecting your surfaces over time.

Helping Utah Stay Safe, One Snowstorm at a Time

Here in West Jordan and throughout Utah, harsh winter weather is a part of life. At Kilgore Landscape Center, we’re proud to support our local communities by supplying the road salts and materials that keep streets, parking lots, and walkways safe.

Our team is here to help you choose the right product, whether you're a city preparing for a major storm cycle or a homeowner preparing your yard and driveway to stay safe for your family.

We welcome both the public and contractors. Because we’re privately owned and operated, we prioritize friendly service, local expertise, and high-quality products our customers can trust.

Ready to Stock Up? Contact Us Today

If you’re preparing for winter or looking for reliable road salt solutions you can trust, Kilgore Landscape Center has you covered. Call us at 801-561-4231 to schedule a delivery or plan your pickup.

Stay safe this winter—and remember, when the snow starts falling, we’re here to help keep your paths, roads, and walkways clear.