About Rock Salt - everything you ever needed to know about de-icing grit and the like!

Q: What is rock salt and where does it come from?

A: De-icing Salt is a mined substance, typically sourced in North West England from salt mines way underground. It is mostly used as a de-icing product to clear roads and paths during bouts of snow and ice and freezing weather. Rock Salt is a commonly used term for halite. Halite is different from other forms of salt in that it is a type of rock, rather than a mineral as one may expect. Though it a different compound entirely it does have many similarities to mineral salts.

Q: What else is Rock Salt used for?

Salt is a product which is used day to day by every living soul on the planet; put simply; we need it to survive. As well as being one of the oldest food seasonings known to man, salt has also been used through the years as a preservative – mostly for food but ancient Egyptians also used salt to preserve their dead as part of the mummifying process.

Q: How should rock salt be stored and kept dry?

A: We’d always recommend a grit bin as the safest way to store rock salt, though we do sell our road grit products in small, carry-able 25kg sealed bags as well which are perfect for popping in the garage ready for any unexpected adverse weather. All salt will freeze solid at around minus 7 degrees so keep this in mind when choosing where and how to store your newly purchased rock salt.

Q: How much rock salt do I need for my driveway or path?

A: there’s no hard and fast rule for this – as well as depending heavily on how slap dash you are, obviously the amount of snow or ice is a mitigating factor; a good handful per square metre should be sufficient coverage to start the melting process and to provide some decent traction. Spread it a little heavier on areas which will receive a lot of footfall or tyre wear.

Q: How do I spread rock salt by hand or with a spreader?

A: You can either purchase a salt spreader or do it the old fashioned way and get out your snow shovel (or pay the kids to do it). Try to clear away as much snow and easy to move ice as you can before starting so that you aren’t exhausting your grit supply on snow which can be pushed aside. Scatter your salt by the handful over your desired area, trying to clear away the slush as it starts to melt to avoid it re-freezing.

Q: Where is Rock Salt sourced?

A: Rock Salt is found all over the world and is usually sourced via mining. The salt itself exists in large bodies of water which evaporate and, over many years, become buried beneath the earth. The Rock Salt found in Britain is typically sourced from the North West and originates from when Britain’s waters were surrounded by desert; some 250 million years ago.

Q: How does Rock Salt melt ice?

A: If you live in an area which traditionally has icy, cold winters then you have probably come across Rock Salt as a de-icer; it is used up and down the country to melt snow and ice and prevent the water from re-freezing.
The salt works by lowering the melting point of ice – termed “freezing point depression”.

Q:How does Freezing Point Depression work?
A: When you introduce Rock Salt to water you’re adding dissolved foreign particles. As more particles are added the freezing point of the water becomes lower and lower until it reaches a point where the Rock Salt itself ceases to dissolve.
For a solution of table salt in a lab controlled atmosphere this would occur at around -21°C. In the real world or a pavement, road or driveway salt can melt ice down to around -9°C – so if it’s colder than that the alt itself will begin to freeze.

Q: How is Rock Salt obtained?

Rock Salt is mined from quarries deep below ground. Originally, in the 1800s it was mined using picks, shovels and temperamental powder explosives. Thankfully, today the process is much safer and quicker and is largely done by boring pneumatic drills deep underground. The same mines are still used each year despite already having provided over 100 million tonnes of salt.

Q: What size vehicle do you deliver your road grit with?
A: Our hauliers prefer to use standard 18 tonner delivery vehicles which are around the same size as a normal Council bin lorry. If you’ve got restricted access to your property or low bridges, overhanging trees etc then call us first and ask for a smaller, 7.5 tonne delivery vehicle!

Q: Where do you deliver de-icing salt to…?
A: We deliver to England, Scotland and Wales but currently mainland only. In the near future we hope to begin trading in Northern Ireland so do watch this space!

Q: Where are you based…?
A: We hang out in North Wales. We love visitors so pop along and see us if you’re ever in the area… Dandy’s Landscape Supplies Centre, Fourth Ave, Zone 2, Deeside Industrial Park, Deeside, CH5 2NR.

Q: What if I’ve seen grit salt somewhere else cheaper…?
A: Please tell us! We like to always be the cheapest online so if you have seen one of our products somewhere else at a lower price then pop an email across to us with some details and we’ll check it out. Hopefully we’ll be able to match or beat the price for you!

Q: Do you deliver at the weekend…?
A: You can opt for a Saturday delivery at checkout but it does come with an additional cost of £45.95. We think everyone should get a day off to enjoy their gardens, our own staff included, so we shut up shop on a Sunday!

Q: What are your opening hours?
A: The internet never sleeps so you can order online from Dandy’s Garden Centre 24/7. If you would prefer to order with a real life person then you can call or visit us Monday to Friday between 7am and 5.30pm or on a Saturday or Bank Hol between 10am and 2pm!

Got another question about any of our other products or services…? Don’t be shy; ask us by emailing enquiries@dandysgardencentre.co.uk or give us a shout on 0845 456 3089.
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