Deicing Spokane
Ice Management That Starts Before the Storm
Deicing in Spokane or ice management in Spokane can be the first and also the last step in a complete snow removal plan. The last few winters in Spokane have shown us that even small storms can make a mess of roadways and parking lots if the temperatures are cold enough.
Throughout the winter there are freezing rain events, freeze and thaw cycles, and extended cold stretches that ice up walkways and parking surfaces in ways that a plow alone cannot address.
Deicing Starts Before the Storm
Proper deicing actually starts before the storm begins. This is where having a contractor who uses liquid deicer becomes genuinely valuable.
We pre-treat parking lots and sidewalks up to 48 hours before a storm rolls through Spokane. The liquid deicer dries on the surface and reactivates once precipitation begins to fall. If you pay attention during the winter months you will notice what looks like water stripe lines across roads and parking lots before a predicted storm. That is the city pre-treating roads to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement surface. We do the same for our commercial accounts.
This works well unless it rains instead of snows and washes the deicer off the surface. It is not uncommon for a storm to skip Spokane entirely but as long as it does not rain the pre-treatment remains effective until the next storm event.
Liquid Deicer vs Bulk Salt
There are two primary deicing methods in commercial snow and ice management and both have a place in a complete Spokane winter program.
Liquid deicer is our primary pre and post-treatment product for parking lots. It dries on the surface, bonds to the pavement, and reactivates when moisture arrives. It does not blow away in wind and does not get crushed and scattered by vehicle traffic the way granular products do. The limitation is rain. A significant rain event before a storm washes the pre-treatment off and requires reapplication.
Bulk salt and treated bulk salt excels when snow has a higher moisture content. Sand and other traction additives can be mixed in to provide grip on slick surfaces during active icing conditions. The trade-off is that bulk salt is susceptible to wind dispersion and vehicle traffic breaking it down before it can work effectively. Applied as pre-treatment it is less reliable than liquid in Spokane’s variable winter conditions.
Both methods are legitimate and effective in the right situation. The difference is knowing which to use when. At The Bright Side we use liquid deicer as our primary pre and post-treatment product for parking lots and bulk salt on walkways and sidewalks where liquid application is less practical.
Post-Plow Treatment
After every snow plow we post-treat the surface we just cleared. This step is the one most commercial snow removal companies skip because it adds time and material cost to every service visit.
We do it because a freshly plowed parking lot looks safe but is often anything but. Residual snow and moisture left on a plowed surface can flash refreeze within minutes in Spokane’s overnight temperatures. A lot that looked clear when we left can be a sheet of ice an hour later if the temperature drops and the residual moisture freezes.
Post-treatment with liquid deicer after plowing prevents that flash refreezing and extends the safe condition of the lot significantly longer than plowing alone.
Deicing and the Spokane Winter
Spokane winters are not always straightforward. Some seasons bring consistent heavy snowfall that keeps plows running on a predictable schedule. Other seasons bring a repetitive freeze thaw cycle. A warm afternoon followed by a hard overnight freeze creates black ice on surfaces that look completely dry during the day.
The freezing rain events that Spokane sees several times each winter are the most dangerous and the most unpredictable. Rain falling on below-freezing surfaces creates a glaze ice layer that is nearly invisible and extremely slick. Pre-treatment with liquid deicer before a predicted freezing rain event is the most effective defense available.
Understanding what kind of winter event is coming and how to respond before it arrives is what separates a reactive snow removal contractor from a proactive one.
Deicing Is Part of Every Job
We do not offer plowing without deicing. Every commercial snow removal service we provide includes pre-treatment before the storm and post-plow treatment after we clear the lot.
The reason is simple. A plowed lot that has not been treated looks safe but often is not. Residual moisture flash freezes on cleared pavement within minutes when temperatures drop. Pre-treatment prevents snow from bonding to the surface before we arrive. Post-treatment prevents refreezing after we leave.
Separating plowing from deicing creates the exact liability gap that commercial property managers are trying to avoid. A lot that was plowed but not treated is a slip and fall waiting to happen at 6am when your first employees arrive.
We do not offer that service because we do not think it is actually serving the client. Every account gets the full program.
See what Spokane commercial clients say about our snow removal. Read commercial reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do you pre-treat before a storm?
Up to 48 hours before a predicted storm event. The liquid deicer dries on the surface and remains effective until it rains or the storm arrives. We monitor Spokane weather patterns and time our pre-treatment applications to maximize effectiveness.
What happens if it rains instead of snows after pre-treatment?
Rain washes liquid deicer off the surface. If a predicted snow event becomes a rain event we assess conditions and reapply as needed before the next winter weather event.
Do you use liquid deicer or salt?
Both depending on the surface and the situation. Liquid deicer is our primary product for parking lots. Bulk salt is used on walkways and sidewalks where liquid application is less practical. We mix sand and traction additives into bulk salt applications when conditions require it.
What is flash refreezing and why does it matter?
Flash refreezing happens when residual moisture on a freshly plowed surface freezes rapidly as temperatures drop overnight. A lot that looked clear after plowing can become a sheet of ice within an hour. Post-plow treatment with liquid deicer prevents this and extends the safe condition of the surface significantly longer.
Do you offer deicing as a standalone service or only as part of a snow removal contract?
Deicing is available as part of our seasonal snow removal contracts. Call or text 509-464-9461 to discuss what makes sense for your specific property.