Enter the area to be covered and the application rate into the calculator to determine the total amount of rock salt needed.
Rock Salt Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the total amount of rock salt needed.
TS = (A / 1000) * AR
Variables:
- TS is the total rock salt needed (pounds)
- A is the area to be covered (square feet)
- AR is the application rate (pounds per 1000 square feet)
To calculate the total rock salt needed, divide the area by 1000 and then multiply by the application rate.
What is Rock Salt?
Rock salt, also known as halite, is a mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl). It is commonly used for de-icing and melting snow on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots during the winter months. The effectiveness of rock salt for de-icing is due to its ability to lower the freezing point of water, which helps to prevent ice from forming and can melt existing ice.
How to Calculate Rock Salt Needed?
The following steps outline how to calculate the total amount of rock salt needed.
- First, determine the area to be covered (A) in square feet.
- Next, determine the application rate (AR) in pounds per 1000 square feet.
- Next, gather the formula from above = TS = (A / 1000) * AR.
- Finally, calculate the Total Rock Salt Needed (TS) in pounds.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Area to be covered (A) = 5000 square feet
Application rate (AR) = 20 pounds per 1000 square feet