9 Facts You May Not Know About Gritting

Winter gritting plays a vital role in keeping the UK safe, mobile and productive during cold weather. But how much do you really know about how it works, what gets spread and why?

Here are nine surprising facts about gritting, from summer use to salt alternatives.

1. Gritting Happens in Summer Too

While gritting is usually associated with icy roads, gritters are sometimes used in hot weather too. On very warm days, the surface of asphalt roads can soften and become slippery. This is because black tarmac absorbs heat, which lowers surface friction.

By spreading crushed rock dust or fine grit, crews improve traction and reduce surface temperature. It may look strange, but summer gritting helps keep roads safe during heatwaves.

2. Gritters Don’t Actually Spread Grit

Despite the name, modern gritters don’t use “grit” in the traditional sense. Today’s winter treatments use salt, not sand or gravel. The term “gritting” comes from earlier days when cinders and coarse grit were spread to add friction.

Modern vehicles spread rock salt or brine, which works chemically to prevent ice from forming.

3. There Are Different Types of Salt Used for Gritting

Not all road salt is the same. The main types are:

• Brown rock salt – mined from underground, often used in grit bins
• White marine salt – extracted from seawater through evaporation
• Brine – a salt and water solution sprayed as a pre-treatment

At Grounds Care Group, we use marine salt because it’s cleaner, faster to dissolve and more sustainable. It also leaves less residue and is easier on surfaces and nearby vegetation.

4. Grit Needs Vehicles to Work Properly

Salt doesn’t work instantly. After it’s spread, it needs traffic to drive over it. Vehicle tyres help grind the salt into the road surface, speeding up the process of melting ice or preventing it from forming.

This pressure also spreads salt more evenly, improving coverage and making the surface safer for everyone.

5. Salt Stops Working Below -8°C

Salt lowers the freezing point of water, but it only works down to a certain temperature. Standard rock salt is effective until about -8°C. Beyond that, the saline solution it creates starts to freeze too.

In colder conditions, gritting teams may use alternative materials like brine blends or beet juice to treat surfaces more effectively.

6. Excess Salt Can Harm the Environment

Overuse of salt affects soil health, plant life and nearby water sources. When salt washes into drains or seeps into the ground, it can:

• Disrupt the nutrient cycle of plants
• Increase salinity in freshwater habitats
• Harm aquatic life and insects
• Damage roadside vegetation

At Grounds Care Group, we carefully manage our salt use to minimise environmental impact. We also assess each site before gritting to reduce overuse and surface damage.

7. Gritting Saves the UK Economy £1.85 Billion a Year

Road closures and icy disruptions have real financial consequences. Without gritting, the UK economy would lose around £2 billion annually due to:

• Missed deliveries
• Workplace absences
• Increased accidents
• Public service delays

By keeping roads open and accessible, gritting services help protect businesses, emergency response and daily operations nationwide.

8. Beet Juice Is a Powerful Salt Alternative

Beet juice, a byproduct from sugar processing, is gaining popularity as an eco-friendly de-icing solution. It:

• Works in lower temperatures than salt (effective to around -20°C)
• Has a sticky texture that reduces scatter and waste
• Is less corrosive to surfaces and vehicles
• Causes less harm to wildlife and soil

While not widely used yet, Grounds Care Group is actively exploring beet juice as part of a more sustainable winter risk strategy.

9. Road Surface Temperature Matters More Than Air Temperature

You might check your weather app and wonder why gritters are out when it’s still above freezing. The answer lies in road surface temperature (RST), not air temperature.

Surfaces lose heat faster than the air and can fall below 0°C even when the air feels mild. Gritting teams rely on RST sensors and forecasts to time treatments accurately, often gritting in the evening ahead of an overnight freeze.

Want to Learn More?

Gritting is about more than salt. From sustainability to route planning, Grounds Care Group offers reliable, environmentally conscious gritting services that help keep your site safe, efficient and compliant.

Whether you need one-off support or full winter cover, we’re here to help.Contact us today to learn more or request a site assessment.