How Does Gritting Actually Work?

Scottish winters can be treacherous, with snow and ice a common occurrence throughout the season. These conditions pose a risk both to pedestrians and motorists, so it’s essential to enlist the help of a gritting company to ensure your commercial property is safe for all employees and visitors. 

While most are aware of the importance of gritting, many people have no idea how gritting actually works. Let’s take a closer look at the process to better understand exactly how our gritting services can help you face winter conditions head-on.

Understanding the Science Behind Gritting

Gritting involves applying salt or grit onto surfaces that are prone to getting icy. The key principle behind it is simple but effective: the salt lowers the freezing point of water, either preventing ice from forming or aiding in its melting process. This chemical reaction helps to create safer surfaces for travel in wintry conditions.

Key Stages of the Gritting Process

To gain a deeper understanding of how gritting services effectively combat winter weather hazards, here’s a breakdown of the gritting process employed by our expert gritters.

Preparation and Planning

Before the winter season begins, the team here at GMCB Ltd will meticulously plan a gritting strategy that is most appropriate for your commercial grounds. We’ll carry out assessments of high-risk areas such as rounds, car parks, and footpaths. By identifying these areas in advance, we can efficiently allocate resources and prioritise those areas where gritting is needed most.

Timely Deployment of Gritting Services

When temperatures begin to drop, we spring into action. Utilising specialised vehicles equipped with grit spreaders, we’ll navigate our way around the areas identified in the previous step of the process, ensuring all the necessary surfaces have a good covering of grit. Timing is crucial, as applying grit before icy conditions occur is essential for maximum effectiveness.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Winter weather can be unpredictable, with temperature fluctuations and varying precipitation levels, so continuous monitoring is vital to ensure the effectiveness of our gritting services. Our team will remain vigilant throughout the season and be ready to adjust gritting schedules and application rates based on real-time weather updates. This proactive approach ensures that surfaces remain safe for use even amidst changing weather conditions.

Ongoing Gritting Services

Gritting isn’t a one-time solution and, as such, we provide ongoing maintenance to ensure that your commercial grounds remain safe throughout the winter season. This may involve periodic re-gritting or addressing specific areas that require addition attention due to heavy foot traffic or persistent icy patches.

Here at GMCB Ltd, we have ample experience in providing comprehensive and effective gritting services for clients throughout Central Scotland. If you’re in need of a trusted gritting company to help you ensure the safety of your commercial grounds this winter, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We’ll be happy to discuss your requirements and find a gritting solution that works for you.