Sidewalk ‘stains’ should help stop slips

A facilities vehicle has applied “lines” of Geomelt to a UNMC sidewalk.

In an effort to improve snow removal throughout the campus, the UNMC Facilities Department has started using a pre-treatment method, applying chemicals to the sidewalks.

Tom Payne

This pre-treatment method — which facilities crews may be applying today, as snow is forecast on Friday — is a form of anti-icing in which chemicals are applied to the sidewalks up to 48 hours before a winter storm to prevent a bond from forming between the pavement and the snow and ice. When the snow and ice are not allowed to bond to the concrete, this will provide a cleaner and more effective post storm clean up.

The current anti-icing application that is being used consists of a Geomelt solution. For more information about Geomelt, click here.

“Some people have been curious about the ‘stains’ on the sidewalks,” said Tom Payne, grounds supervisor. “The new solution will cut down on the use of salt, is less corrosive and is ecologically friendly.”