I just sprayed a roof the other week on a townhome. I just went back this week to do some other work on this townhome. I got there early in the morning, I looked at the roof (naturally to see how it turned out after some rain) and I noticed that the rest of the townhomes on this building had frost on them, this unit did not (even after a good day of solid rain). It got me thinking of using our setup to do pre storm de-deicing on sidewalks and driveways. Is anyone doing anything like this up north here? We're already set up with the equipment, any suggestions or thoughts?
Wow thats really interesting, You are thinking of spraying walkways and driveways prior to a storm? people would'nt have to shovel?
Yeah Pat,
Do you think there maybe be something there for us northerners? I'm not sure if the SH is the thing to be spraying all over the ground but maybe some magnesium pellets or flakes mixed with water. I'm open for all thoughts on this.
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
A lot of people use dry fertilizer to remove snow and ice., Government uses brine (salt water) dripped from trucks prior to snow storms. Works great. Fill your tank with salt water or fertilizer water and spray away.
Had started planning just this train of thought 2 yrs ago, the only prob was what to use. 2 yrs ago snow build up led to several homes up north having roof collapse's. Sodium would kill plants comes spring, calcium or potassium salts leave a whittish residue. Even looked into airplane deicing solutions.
Gonna be a very snowy year up north so worth revisiting!
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
I never got around to looking into this thoroughly, but it is definitely something worth checking out. I keep saying "once things slow down", but that hasn't happened yet. We went right from roof cleaning to storm repair to full roof and siding replacement. The insurance companies must be generous this year!!!
We noticed a church that we did about 3 weeks ago did not have any frost on it where we touched up (2 weeks after a tough clean) vs. where we did not. For a second, I worried that something was not healing from the extra attention.
Saltwater, concrete and run off going into a storm sewer does not have a good ring to it. Spraying parking garages with something that cleans and preserves them might be interesting. Chemical spraying with low volume sounds better than hi-pressure blasting that just opens up cracks and voids for further issues might have some merit. Anything big would need reclaimed most likely, or soon to be.
On another note, I have also looked back at the valley's on roof 's we've treated for any new rust or paint loss. We are thinking about the end of season valley painting, most do need a touch up, some we have seen have never been painted, we try to take pics prior for the one HO that says we did that.
This is what I am going to try this year. It can be used on wood. So, it could be sprayed on peoples decks and wooden steps. I am thinking of using this not for big jobs ie: parking lots, but for homeowners. Sidewalks, steps into house, decks. Anywhere the snow packs into ice, even on driveways that become ice covered. Also it being safe for the enviroment will help sell it. Up here all we here about is how bad all the salt is for everything from the grass to the carpet inside. I salted bank sidewalks last year, and they were so worried about the salt being tracked into the bank. With liquid, you do not have that problem.
Last night before the snow hit us today I sprayed part of this concrete with left over weak mix at my buddy's new project(hotel renovation). Well the snow didn't stick to the one side. After the storm was complete I came back tonight to see if the 1 1/2" to 2" inches stuck and it didn't. Just some info for everyone.
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey