How Much Salt Do You Need | Salt Coverage Calculator

Accurately estimating how much salt to purchase will better help a snow removal business use their money wisely. Estimate too much and you might lose the job, too little and you eat the costs. Getting the right amount for each job is important for keeping your business running smoothly. Many factors go into this calculation including: how much snow, surface material, and rate of application. Determining how much salt you need for a parking lot, road, or any other area can be confusing. That’s where a rock salt coverage calculator can be helpful.

Salt Coverage Calculator

A general way to calculate how much rock salt you should buy is about 750 lbs per acre of surface area. Below you’ll find our rock salt coverage calculator, which allows you to most accurately predict how much salt you will need to buy.

All we need is some basic information on your coverage area and the type of product you’re planning to use. Is it bulk salt or treated bulk salt? Maybe you're going to be using bagged salt? Or possibly a liquid de-icer? Give us the product type, rate of application (light, standard, heavy), and the number of salting events per season, and we’ll tell you exactly how much product you will need to purchase. With the accuracy of the salt coverage calculator, you will be able to save your business money and reduce your environmental impact.

Ready to Get Started?

Calculated how much you need and are ready to order?

Contact Ninja De-Icer today to get the right amount for your business!

Get a Quote

Factors to Consider When Calculating Salt Coverage

No one can predict the future, but with some forethought and a great salt coverage calculator, you can get a good idea of how much rock salt you’ll need to get you through the winter. Let’s look at a few of the key factors that can affect the amount of bulk salt you’ll have to order.

Snow 

Snow is the most important factor to look into when figuring out how much salt you need to buy. Exactly how much rock salt usage will be necessary depends on your business location and services. To save money, your business should purchase rock salt, or calcium chloride, in bulk orders at the beginning of the season. Calculate previous season’s snowfalls, and base your purchase off of that. Although it may not always be accurate since each season is different, it is your best bet when guessing how much rock salt to buy.

Surface Material

The surface area of the location that you are looking to deice is also important to factor into your rock salt purchase. Whether it is cement, asphalt, dirt, or gravel, you must look into what surfaces are safe to use rock salt on. Cement and asphalt are the best surfaces for rock salt, so those would be the ones where you would want to purchase in bulk. You want to make the surface as safe as possible for pedestrians, by choosing the right deicer for it.

Rate of Application

If you have a large area of snow to clear, like a parking lot, driveway, or any other kind of property that needs to be cleared, you will need to figure out how frequently you will be applying salt, and how much exactly. There are many ways to calculate this so that you can make the most of your purchase. You do not want to apply too much and waste it, but you also do not want to apply too little and risk an injury.

Best Practices for Winter Salt Management

When it comes to salt coverage, it’s best to be prepared! Here are a few tips to make sure you’re ready for winter weather conditions:

When it comes to salt coverage, it’s best to be prepared! Here are a few tips to make sure you’re ready for winter weather conditions:

• Always order more than you need. If you have a place to store it, it will last into next season.
• If the weather shifts from an idyllic 30 degrees to, say, 15 degrees or lower your salt needs will suddenly triple or quadruple for that weather event. And let’s face it, we’re in the Midwest; it will go below 30. Always order more salt than you think you need!
• Try pre-treating your surfaces with a liquid deicing solution instead of pure salt brine. They both have similar effects as pre-treatments, but liquid brine with additives are more cost-effective and work at lower temperatures.
• Pre-wetting salt will let you get more work out of less salt.
• Inquire about treated bulk salt — because it’s dyed it is easier to see. In addition, it works more effectively at lower temperatures, which means you’ll use less product.
• Invest in a good spreader that spreads evenly. Cheap spreaders are going to clog up, spread salt unevenly, and ultimately waste your time and money. Worse yet, if you’re over-salting the pavement you are just wasting money.
• Order from a reliable supplier like us. Not only will we have the supply you need when you need it but we’ll answer questions and give you the kind of advice you’re reading here.
• Everything you want to know about salt but are afraid to ask can be found here

Stock Up on Salt with Ninja De-Icer!

It’s never too early to start preparing for the snow and ice that plague roads, parking lots, and driveways. Stocking up on salt helps ensure everyone’s safety! As temperatures drop, it’s best to look into acquiring a reliable and trustworthy salt supplier. At Ninja De-Icer, we’re happy to answer any and all questions you might have about deicing products. Get a quote today!