Why Is Surface Gritting Used In The Summer?

You might be wondering about the title of this blog and how it can be accurate. Isn't grit just used in the winter to stop roads becoming too icy for cars to drive down and pedestrians to walk on? However, grit is not just for winter and is actually more common than you think outside of the colder months. So don’t be surprised if you see a gritting machine roaming the roads in the summertime.

But why is surface gritting used in the summer? Read on to find out.



Summer Gritting

Gritting is used in the summer to help keep roads safe. In the hot temperatures, the surface of roads can start to heat up, causing it to melt. Gritters will spread grit over areas that might be at risk to stop them from melting. Temperatures only need to be near 30 degrees for a road to start melting, as they are commonly dark surfaces that will easily absorb a lot of the sunlight aimed at them.

Tarmac is especially sensitive to melting. When intense sunshine hits it, the tar becomes a lot softer than usual. This can affect the way cars move across it. This can be dangerous as a driver may not be expecting the different conditions, causing them to panic or make a rash decision.

Tarmac melting can lead to roads becoming sticky and will eventually cause them to become brittle and lead to potholes.

How It Works

Gritting for hot roads is commonly done with two methods, salt or crushed rock. This salt attracts moisture from the air, which will help to cool the asphalt. It also removed excess moisture from the asphalt itself, which will make it less sticky. The only disadvantage is that this salt can kick up and chip the paint of vehicles. The other option is crushed rock. A layer of ground stone works by absorbing into the soft surface which will then stabilise the surface.

GMCB Ltd: Expert Gritting Contractors

No matter the season, work with GMCB Ltd for professional gritting contractors in Scotland. We can provide quick and reliable gritting services for your property, ensuring the roads are safe for employees, customers and pedestrians.

We charge per treatment with all the costs agreed in advance, offering both preventative and reactive gritting. You can expect great results from top of the line machinery and road gritter experts, ready to provide you with gritting services all year round and in all weather conditions.

If you’d like a free quote on gritting services, give us a call now on 07903 211 499. We also offer a variety of grounds maintenance services, so visit our website now to find out more.