Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC (651-504-2424) tips for handling snow and ice on your ramp and other maintenance
Summary of snow/ice and maintenance tips:
The aluminum walking surface has been extruded/knurled to give the users enough grip to pass ADA coefficient of friction requirements in both dry and wet conditions. When snow and ice fall, the grip conditions can change very quickly. There are a two main ways to minimize any safety issues that may arise from weather-related issues, maintenance tips are shown on #3 and cleaning on #4.
1. No Metal Shovels and Scrapers
A very simple way to remove any light snow accumulation from the ramp is to use a stiff bristled broom or push broom. The bristles of these brooms are strong enough to remove the snow from the ramp and from the grooves in the decking surface that gives the ramp the grip. On the actual ramp surface, you may have to push the snow up or down a ramp to a platform or to the ground since the wheel guard at the edges of the ramp make sweeping the snow off of the side difficult. Once the snow is on a platform, it can be swept across the platform and can be pushed off of the edge or through the rails. The key to using a stiff-bristled broom is to push hard enough to get into the grooves of the ramp surface and remove the snow, but you don’t want to scrub the surface so hard that you scratch the aluminum. If the aluminum is scratched, oxidation will occur more quickly. Use only plastic/rubber tipped shovels/scrapers for removing snow too heavy for brooms as metal tipped shovels/scrapers can damage the soft aluminum.
Some customers use leaf blowers to remove fluffy snow.
2. Ice-melt that is Safe for Aluminum.
If the snow and ice are too much for just a broom and shovel to handle, you may want to think about some sort of chemical snow-melt. We do not recommend using common rock salt on the aluminum. Typical rock salt will cause a reaction with the aluminum and will eventually cause some pitting and weaken the structure after many years. We recommend that our customers use a Magnesium Chloride ice melt, as that will not harm the aluminum. Another good option that we have found to be good for use with our aluminum ramps is ice melt products containing CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate). This product is often advertised as pet-friendly. This product can be spread on the snow and ice and will not damage the metal, concrete around it or be harmful to plants or animals.
3. Maintenance/Inspect Ramp on Regular Schedule.
Look over the ramps on a regular schedule -- have there been any changes such as dips or sagging, loose railings, rattling of metal, bolts/nuts loose, etc. Do not use the ramp if it is unsafe. Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC will fix/repair/adjust the ramps for five years after date of installation without charge if located in the Metro area. The owner/renter should inform Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC ([email protected], 651-504-2424) as soon as possible if there is a repair/adjustment needed.
The aluminum anti-skid surfaces should be kept free of dirt/ice/snow/leaves/other material that will decrease the anti-skid abilities of this ramp.
Over time some rust may show on the steel fasteners used to connect aluminum pieces together. This is normal.
Aluminum is soft and porous and burrs may form. If burrs occur, use a file to smooth off the rough spots. Electrical tape may be used to cover small gaps in railings.
Avoid putting/keeping organic material (soil, leaves, potted plants, etc) on the ramp as staining may occur.
4. Cleaning Aluminum Ramps
Aluminum is a light but strong material that is common for outdoor applications because of its weather-resistant properties; aluminum doesn’t rust because it forms a natural layer of oxide. Oxidation creates a protective barrier against water and rust, but it can make the aluminum less attractive overtime. Cleaning the ramps will decrease the chances of severe oxidation.
Step 1: The first step is to make sure that all debris including mud, dust, and leaves are all cleared off the ramps.
Step 2: Rinse the ramp with water and mild detergent such as dish soap. Use a generous amount of dish soap over the length of the ramps, and put a concentrated amount on tough spots. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Next, hose off or lightly pressure wash the ramps to remove the soap and dirt. It is suggested to use filtered water if possible because unfiltered water may contain sulfur, chlorine, fluoride, and other minerals that could damage the aluminum over time. Make sure that all dish soap is washed off before the ramps are used because the soap and water makes the aluminum slippery.
Step 3: If there is still dirt on the ramps, use a towel and dish soap to scrub the area. Do not use steel wool or scour pads because these materials can scratch the aluminum and give it a dull appearance. Do not use harsh cleaners like baking soda or alkali-based cleaners as these can cause discoloration. If you want to try a new type of cleaner, test an area on the underside of the ramp to see if it discolors the aluminum.
Step 4: If the aluminum has already oxidized, try spot-treating the oxidized areas with an aluminum cleaner like Aluma Kleen or Aluma Bright.
Modified From: Innovationshttps://upsideinnovations.com/author/ksharp/ on 14 December 2018 by Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC
Summary of snow/ice and maintenance tips:
- Don’t use metal tipped shovels and scrapers
- Use Magnesium chloride or CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) for ice-melt
- Inspect the ramp regularly -- has anything changed?
- Five year free-of-charge adjustments on your ramp
The aluminum walking surface has been extruded/knurled to give the users enough grip to pass ADA coefficient of friction requirements in both dry and wet conditions. When snow and ice fall, the grip conditions can change very quickly. There are a two main ways to minimize any safety issues that may arise from weather-related issues, maintenance tips are shown on #3 and cleaning on #4.
1. No Metal Shovels and Scrapers
A very simple way to remove any light snow accumulation from the ramp is to use a stiff bristled broom or push broom. The bristles of these brooms are strong enough to remove the snow from the ramp and from the grooves in the decking surface that gives the ramp the grip. On the actual ramp surface, you may have to push the snow up or down a ramp to a platform or to the ground since the wheel guard at the edges of the ramp make sweeping the snow off of the side difficult. Once the snow is on a platform, it can be swept across the platform and can be pushed off of the edge or through the rails. The key to using a stiff-bristled broom is to push hard enough to get into the grooves of the ramp surface and remove the snow, but you don’t want to scrub the surface so hard that you scratch the aluminum. If the aluminum is scratched, oxidation will occur more quickly. Use only plastic/rubber tipped shovels/scrapers for removing snow too heavy for brooms as metal tipped shovels/scrapers can damage the soft aluminum.
Some customers use leaf blowers to remove fluffy snow.
2. Ice-melt that is Safe for Aluminum.
If the snow and ice are too much for just a broom and shovel to handle, you may want to think about some sort of chemical snow-melt. We do not recommend using common rock salt on the aluminum. Typical rock salt will cause a reaction with the aluminum and will eventually cause some pitting and weaken the structure after many years. We recommend that our customers use a Magnesium Chloride ice melt, as that will not harm the aluminum. Another good option that we have found to be good for use with our aluminum ramps is ice melt products containing CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate). This product is often advertised as pet-friendly. This product can be spread on the snow and ice and will not damage the metal, concrete around it or be harmful to plants or animals.
3. Maintenance/Inspect Ramp on Regular Schedule.
Look over the ramps on a regular schedule -- have there been any changes such as dips or sagging, loose railings, rattling of metal, bolts/nuts loose, etc. Do not use the ramp if it is unsafe. Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC will fix/repair/adjust the ramps for five years after date of installation without charge if located in the Metro area. The owner/renter should inform Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC ([email protected], 651-504-2424) as soon as possible if there is a repair/adjustment needed.
The aluminum anti-skid surfaces should be kept free of dirt/ice/snow/leaves/other material that will decrease the anti-skid abilities of this ramp.
Over time some rust may show on the steel fasteners used to connect aluminum pieces together. This is normal.
Aluminum is soft and porous and burrs may form. If burrs occur, use a file to smooth off the rough spots. Electrical tape may be used to cover small gaps in railings.
Avoid putting/keeping organic material (soil, leaves, potted plants, etc) on the ramp as staining may occur.
4. Cleaning Aluminum Ramps
Aluminum is a light but strong material that is common for outdoor applications because of its weather-resistant properties; aluminum doesn’t rust because it forms a natural layer of oxide. Oxidation creates a protective barrier against water and rust, but it can make the aluminum less attractive overtime. Cleaning the ramps will decrease the chances of severe oxidation.
Step 1: The first step is to make sure that all debris including mud, dust, and leaves are all cleared off the ramps.
Step 2: Rinse the ramp with water and mild detergent such as dish soap. Use a generous amount of dish soap over the length of the ramps, and put a concentrated amount on tough spots. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Next, hose off or lightly pressure wash the ramps to remove the soap and dirt. It is suggested to use filtered water if possible because unfiltered water may contain sulfur, chlorine, fluoride, and other minerals that could damage the aluminum over time. Make sure that all dish soap is washed off before the ramps are used because the soap and water makes the aluminum slippery.
Step 3: If there is still dirt on the ramps, use a towel and dish soap to scrub the area. Do not use steel wool or scour pads because these materials can scratch the aluminum and give it a dull appearance. Do not use harsh cleaners like baking soda or alkali-based cleaners as these can cause discoloration. If you want to try a new type of cleaner, test an area on the underside of the ramp to see if it discolors the aluminum.
Step 4: If the aluminum has already oxidized, try spot-treating the oxidized areas with an aluminum cleaner like Aluma Kleen or Aluma Bright.
Modified From: Innovationshttps://upsideinnovations.com/author/ksharp/ on 14 December 2018 by Minnesota Wheelchair Ramps LLC