Application Rates: Deicing vs. Anti-icing

When water freezes on pavement, it forms a bond. Once this bond forms, removing snow and ice becomes much more difficult. There are different salt application strategies that can be used to either prevent the bond from forming or break the bond after it has formed. 

Deicing:  The melting of snow and ice from surfaces using road salt or another product after the snow and ice have bonded to the pavements. Deicing with granular products is very common. 

Anti-icing: The prevention of snow and ice from bonding to pavements using liquid salt (brine) before snow has fallen. Anti-icing is a proactive approach often used by transportation departments and some contractors. It works by providing a thin layer of melting below the snow and ice that prevents the bond from forming so the snow/ice can more easily be plowed off.