Salt brine is Clayton Public Works' first choice when the forecast calls for light snow or when treatment is needed over a weekend. 

Made from the same chemical compound as rock salt (sodium chloride), salt brine is applied in liquid form, allowing it to do more with less. Salt brine adheres to the pavement—rather than scattering like rock salt—and requires less salt to be effective since it begins working immediately. While the chemical process is the same (lowering water's freezing point), liquid application is more efficient.

Ultimately, salt brine is less harmful to plants and wildlife than dry rock salt. 
One application can melt up to 1" of snow under light conditions and continues working on roads for up to three days. By comparison, traditional rock salt loses much of its effectiveness in under 12 hours given typical Clayton road traffic.

The targeted application and properties of salt brine treatment mean less total salt runs off into soil and streams, reducing environmental impact.

While Clayton's Public Works applies brine in much larger quantities than you need at home, you can apply the same concepts to your residential snow and ice removal. 

For Pre-Treatment, It's Salt Brine: Typically applied ahead of forecast snow or ice events when temperatures will stay above 15°F and no rain is expected first. If conditions are right, applying brine in advance prevents the first layer of ice or packed snow from bonding to the pavement, making plowing and cleanup faster and safer.

Post-Treatment Pick, Rock Salt: Most helpful for de-icing areas with existing ice and compacted snow to speed melting. Rock salt requires some liquid to activate and is less effective below 15°F.