The Ultimate Guide to Road Salt: Selection, Storage, and Proper Application

For homeowners, contractors, and property managers across the Wasatch Front, road salt and ice melt materials are essential tools for safety and convenience during the winter season. According to the CDC, more than 1 million people are injured in slip-and-fall accidents each year—taking preventative measures when it’s icy is no joke.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we’ve been helping Utah residents manage winter’s challenges for more than 40 years. As a locally owned company based in West Jordan, we provide high-quality bulk road salt, premium ice melt products like Purple Heat Ice Melt, and expert winter solutions tailored to the unique conditions of the Salt Lake Valley. Whether you need a small amount for personal use or truckloads for commercial applications, our team is here to help you navigate winter with confidence.

This comprehensive guide walks you through how to choose, store, and properly apply ice melt products to ensure your property is safe and slip-free all season long.

Part 1: How to Select the Right Road Salt or Ice Melt

Choosing the right deicing product starts with understanding a few key factors: temperature, surface type, safety concerns, and performance.

Understand Your Climate Needs

In Utah, winter temperatures often dip below freezing, and nighttime lows frequently fall into the single digits. That’s why matching the melting capability of your product to local temperatures is essential.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride): Effective to about 15°F
  
  

• Magnesium Chloride: Works to –10°F and is gentler on concrete
  
  

• Calcium Chloride: Works to –25°F, extremely powerful and fast-acting
  
  

• Purple Heat Ice Melt: Effective to –15°F, safer for pets and surfaces
  
  

If your driveway or commercial lot is regularly slick during very low temperatures, a higher-performance product may be essential.

Consider Concrete and Surface Safety

Concrete damage often comes from freeze–thaw cycles rather than the salt itself. To reduce those cycles, you need a product that keeps melting ice even when temperatures plunge. Look for concrete safe ice melt formulas, products with magnesium chloride or blended materials, and ice melts with additives that protect against corrosion. 

Kilgore Landscape Center offers ice melt salts that help protect surfaces like asphalt and concrete, including decorative and stamped concrete areas.

Look for Pet- and Environment-Safe Options

For homeowners with pets or landscaped areas nearby, safety matters. Some salts are gentler on paws, less corrosive, and minimize harm to plants.

Purple Heat Ice Melt is known for being safer for pets and the environment while still delivering strong melting power, making it a favorite for families.

Choose Based on Application Size

• Homeowners: Typically need bagged ice melt or small bulk quantities.
  
  

• Commercial Properties: Benefit from bulk road salt for parking lots and large walkways.
  
  

• Snow Removal Contractors: Often rely on large quantities of consistent, high-quality material all season long.
  
  

Kilgore Landscape Center has you covered with pick-up or delivery options for any size you need.

Part 2: How to Store Road Salt Properly

Even the best ice melt product can lose effectiveness if stored incorrectly. Because road salt naturally absorbs moisture, proper storage is essential for maintaining its performance throughout the season.

Keep It Dry

Moisture is your biggest enemy. When road salt absorbs water, it clumps, clogs equipment, and loses overall effectiveness. It’s best to store salt in a sealed container in an area protected from rain, snow, and humidity. If you’re storing it outside, use waterproof tarps and keep the salt off the ground with pallets.

Protect It From Temperature Swings

Warmth can increase condensation inside containers, introducing moisture to the salt. Ideally, store road salt in a temperature-stable environment.

Label and Organize

Avoid cross-contamination with products like fertilizers or soil amendments. Always keep ice melt materials clearly labeled and separated.

Buy From a Supplier With Proper Storage Practices

Even before salt reaches you, its quality depends on how it’s stored. Kilgore Landscape Center maintains covered, dry storage that protects product quality, ensuring your material stays consistent, clean, and easy to apply.

Part 3: How to Apply Road Salt Correctly

Applying road salts effectively is not just about dumping it on icy surfaces. Proper technique ensures safety, maximizes performance, and minimizes waste.

Pretreat When Possible

Applying salt before a storm can prevent ice from bonding to the pavement. This makes plowing and shoveling easier and reduces the amount of salt needed later.

Pretreating is especially helpful for driveways, steps, and sloped areas where slip risk is higher.

Apply the Right Amount

More is not always better. Over-application can waste product, harm concrete and landscaping, and increase runoff, creating a larger environmental impact. A general guideline is ½ to 1 cup per 20–30 square feet, depending on conditions and the product used.

Use a Spreader for Large Areas

A handheld or walk-behind spreader ensures even coverage, making it a winter survival essential for larger areas like parking lots, long sidewalks, and large driveways. Even distribution prevents concentrated hot spots and reduces the risk of refreezing.

Break Up Ice Before Applying on Thick Layers

If the ice is thick, breaking it mechanically with a shovel, scraper, or ice chisel helps the salt penetrate faster.

Reapply Only as Needed

Once melting begins, you may not need a full second application—just enough to discourage refreezing.

Sweep Up Excess Salt

After the ice melts and the surface dries, sweeping leftover salt road prevents concrete staining, tracking indoors, and corrosion of vehicles or equipment.

Part 4: Choosing a Reliable Local Supplier Matters

When winter hits, you don’t want to scramble from store to store hoping to find supplies. Working with a dedicated, local supplier ensures consistent access to quality products throughout the season.

Kilgore Landscape Center offers:

• Bulk and bagged road salts
  
  

• Premium Purple Heat Ice Melt
  
  

• Concrete safe ice melt and pet-friendly options
  
  

• Pick-up or delivery
  
  

• Expert advice from a team with decades of experience
  
  

Since 1975, we’ve provided Utah with high-quality materials, making us a trusted source for winter preparation across Salt Lake and the Wasatch Front.

Final Tips for Winter Success

To get the best performance this winter:

• Choose the right salt for your temperatures and surfaces
  
  

• Store it properly to maintain effectiveness
  
  

• Apply it strategically for maximum melt and minimum waste
  
  

• Partner with a reliable, local supplier for consistent quality and supply
  
  

If you’re ready to stock up on road salt, stop by our West Jordan location or give us a call at 801-561-4231 to schedule a pickup or delivery. Kilgore Landscape Center is here to make sure freezing conditions don’t freeze your plans. Stay safe, stay prepared, and embrace winter with confidence.