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Application Rates: Evaluate

overapplication of salt — *White parking lots and salt granules on pavement indicate overapplication of deicers. (Bolton & Menk)*

After the event and the cleanup process has ended, it’s time to evaluate. Whether evaluating your own program or a contractor’s, evaluation can lead to improvement. Were there areas where less salt or no salt could have been applied? How well did the application rate work? Can you adjust your application rate? Determine what caused the overapplication, such as not using application rate charts or uncalibrated equipment. Adjust practices to get closer to the right amount of salt.

By tracking, evaluating, and adjusting your salting practices, you can cut down on salt use, save money, reduce property damage, and make more informed choices about when and how much salt is needed. Keep an open feedback loop with contractors to let them know how well they did. If there was overapplication of salt in some areas, they may need to come back and clean it up.

Evaluation Does your contractor/crew adhere to best practices to fight snow and ice?
Location:
Date:
Check all that apply: Stores product on a hard surface in a dry, covered area with appropriate drainage Is knowledgeable about best winter maintenance practices Mechanically removes snow/ice early and often Applies anti-icing products before the storm if warranted by pavement and weather conditions Uses deicer only when needed and after removing snow Does not use deicers on extremely cold days when they are ineffective Chooses products based on surface temperatures and weather conditions Calibrates all equipment Uses application rates suitable for prevalent weather conditions Uses a light spread pattern There is little to no salt left on the pavement after the event Sweeps up excess salt/abrasives after a storm Provides advice on drainage or other problems that could lead to slippery conditions Records their actions If fewer than eight practices are checked, encourage your contractor or crew to attend a Smart-Salting-type certification training.

Evaluation

Does your contractor/crew adhere to best practices to fight snow and ice?

Location:

Date:

Check all that apply:

Stores product on a hard surface in a dry, covered area with appropriate drainage
Is knowledgeable about best winter maintenance practices
Mechanically removes snow/ice early and often
Applies anti-icing products before the storm if warranted by pavement and weather conditions
Uses deicer only when needed and after removing snow
Does not use deicers on extremely cold days when they are ineffective
Chooses products based on surface temperatures and weather conditions
Calibrates all equipment
Uses application rates suitable for prevalent weather conditions
Uses a light spread pattern
There is little to no salt left on the pavement after the event
Sweeps up excess salt/abrasives after a storm
Provides advice on drainage or other problems that could lead to slippery conditions
Records their actions
If fewer than eight practices are checked, encourage your contractor or crew to attend a Smart-Salting-type certification training.

**Adapted from Contractor evaluation checklist. (Izaak Walton League and Chesapeake, Conservation Landscaping Council and Reston Association (March 2026)

Application Rates: Evaluate

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