If you manage a commercial property, ice management isn't optional — it's a liability issue. But not all sanding products are equal. The material you use, when you apply it, and how you apply it determines whether your parking lot is safe or a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Why Regular Sand Fails
Standard construction sand (often called "pit run") is cheap and widely available. It's also largely ineffective on compacted ice. Here's why:
- Fine particles embed in ice rather than sitting on top, providing minimal traction
- Wet sand freezes into the ice surface, becoming part of the problem
- Spring cleanup is expensive — fine sand clogs drains and damages sweeping equipment
What 7mm Washed Rock Chips Are
7mm washed rock chips are crushed aggregate screened to a consistent 7mm diameter and washed to remove fine particles ("fines"). The result is a uniform, angular product that:
- Sits on top of ice rather than embedding — the angular edges grip both boot soles and tire treads
- Doesn't freeze into the surface because the washed aggregate drains rather than holding moisture
- Cleans up easily in spring — a standard parking lot sweeper picks up 7mm chips efficiently
When to Apply
Timing matters as much as the product. The goal is to have traction material in place before conditions become dangerous, not after someone falls. PWW follows a proactive application schedule:
- Pre-storm: light application before freezing rain or temperature drops below –5°C
- Post-clearing: after every snow removal pass to treat residual moisture that will refreeze
- Spot treatment: high-traffic zones like entrances, drive lanes, and loading docks get additional coverage
- Reapplication: after heavy traffic compacts or displaces the initial layer
Application Rate
Standard application rate for 7mm chips on a commercial parking lot is approximately 500–800 kg per 1,000 m², depending on conditions. Pedestrian areas like sidewalks and building entrances use a lighter rate. Over-application wastes material and increases spring cleanup costs. Under-application creates liability gaps.
Documentation for Liability Protection
Every PWW sanding application is timestamped and logged with location, material used, and weather conditions at time of service. This documentation is your first line of defence if a slip-and-fall claim is filed. Without it, you're relying on memory — which doesn't hold up in court.