As we head into winter weather, you’ll appreciate having a grit bin on your premises as the likelihood of snow and ice underfoot increases. 
While storing a grit bin outdoors is correct, they’re designed for this purpose after all, it’s important to protect internal grit contents from the elements or it won’t melt winter snow and ice properly. 
Whilst we often say ‘grit’ is stored in grit bins and spread on our roads and pathways it’s usually rock salt and white (ish) in colour. 

What is rock salt and how does it melt snow and ice?

Rock salt is a mixture of sodium chloride and up to 10% of other materials such as clay and gravel. This creates a saline solution when it comes into contact with moisture on roads and paths due to it having a lower freezing temperature than water.
This is how rock salt causes existing snow and ice to melt and help prevent it from forming again (within reason). 
To do its job properly, the rock salt is being continuously diluted, to a point when it eventually doesn’t work anymore so a further application is needed.
Timing is also a crucial aspect when you’re spreading rock salt. If it’s laid down too early on a dry road or path, it’ll simply be blown away or displaced. If it’s spread on a surface that’s already frozen it’ll work, but not as effectively.
Ideally rock salt needs to go down on a damp road or path when ice or snow is just forming. It might sound like a very narrow window (and it definitely is), but you’ve got a better chance of melting it if you’ve got dry grit to start with!

The simple truth is wet grit (or rock salt) doesn’t work well against ice and snow.

If rock salt gets wet too early, say from exposure to rain while it’s still inside a grit bin, the sodium chloride will be dissolved and partially washed away, making the ‘grit’ far less effective. 
Local councils have plenty of experience in discovering that wet grit is notably less effective at melting snow and ice than fresh grit that’s been sufficiently protected. 

So how can you protect your grit?

The simple answer is to keep the lid of your grit bins closed! 
To help assist many grit bins have hasp and staples on the lids which help latch the lids shut when not in use. They also help keep the lids shut in high winds. A padlock can also be added for security if required.
 
So where can I get a grit bin with a hasp and staple on the lid?

Here at Roadware of course!
We’re one of the UKs largest suppliers of grit bins and rock salt with a range of quality designs in different colours and sizes to suit. They’re all manufactured in the UK and rotationally moulded to guarantee durability and longevity.

Click here to view our grit bin and salt spreader range.

Image source Roadware Ltd