Fall is upon us and winter is just around the corner – have you started making your preparations? Even if you’re not quite ready to pack away your warm weather clothes in favor of sweaters and earmuffs, it’s never too early to start getting ready for the season ahead.
You may believe that you have all the time in the world to purchase the seasonal items that you need to care for your home and property throughout the cold winter months, but if you put it off, you may regret it down the line. After all, the early bird gets the worm – especially when it comes to finding rock salt for sale.
Rock salt is a necessity for all homeowners who live in areas prone to freezing temperatures, and it’s important that you have access to the material when you need it.
We’ve been assisting homeowners and businesses with their rock salt and winter weather needs for more than a decade and we’ve developed several tips to help you survive the rock salt rush. Here are 5 reasons we believe demonstrate why you should start looking for rock salt for sale sooner rather than later.
1. Avoid the Winter Storm Rush
We’ve all seen it on the news: the local weatherman reports an impending winter storm, and suddenly the whole city has rushed out to stock up on food, water and supplies like rock salt in order to survive the snowy and icy weather. Getting caught in this sort of mess is never fun, and it’s certainly not in your best interest.
Waiting until the last minute rush can force you to endure dangerous winter driving conditions and can create a great deal of stress as store after store begins to sell out of rock salt and other ice melting products. By taking the time to purchase rock salt for sale before the crowds converge upon the stores, you’ll be able to weather the storm from the safety and comfort of your own home.
2. Steer Clear of Price Markups
The greater the demand is for rock salt for sale, the more expensive the product will actually be. Purchasing de-icing products pre-season may result in a lower price than you would pay after the weather begins to turn cold. In addition to this, you’ll find that once temperatures start to drop, so will your local retailer’s inventory of rock salt.
As the bags fly off the shelves, stores will be forced to order more supplies in order to keep up with the demand. When every store in the area is doing this all at once, orders may be backed up, and prices may be increased. Buying in advance will ensure that you don’t have to worry about supply-and-demand fluctuations.
3. Beat Municipalities and Businesses to the Punch
Guess who’s buying the most rock salt in your area? Cities and counties have a responsibility to their citizens to plow the roads and spread rock salt as a means of keeping them free and clear of ice. Businesses and organizations like schools and churches also require a great deal of the product in order to prevent ice from forming on parking lots, drives and walkways.
Because these entities require such a bulk amount of rock salt, they may end up buying out your local retailers – especially if the winter drags out and they run low on their reserve supplies. Purchase your rock salt before it’s already spoken for.
4. Survive the Rock Salt Shortage
The length and severity of the weather last winter resulted in an rock salt shortage. As homeowners, municipalities, businesses, and other organizations throughout the nation were in constant need of the material, suppliers were unable to keep up with the demand.
This made it extremely difficult for people to find ice melting products, and when they did, they were quite expensive. In order to prepare for the continued rock salt shortage, it’s in your best interest to be prepared with your own stockpile of rock salt.
5. Never Be Forced to Skimp
One of the consequences of not having enough rock salt during a shortage is that you may not have enough to get you through the rest of the winter. As a result, some homeowners result to rationing their rock salt to the point where they skip over patches of driveways, or decide not to salt front walkways. This can lead to dangerous conditions and injuries. When you have an ample supply, you can apply the proper amount and ensure your safety.
Finding Rock Salt for Sale
When it comes to stocking up on winter supplies, it’s never too early to get started. There may be no sure-fire way of telling what this upcoming winter has in store for us, but it’s best to be prepared now rather than scrambling later. By taking the time to purchase rock salt for sale in the fall, you can rest assured that you, your family and your property will be well taken care of throughout the upcoming winter season.
Photo courtesy of Highway Agency – Winter Operations 2 via Flickr.
