GREENVILLE — Angela Parr of Greenville says she’s making the most of a challenging situation when it comes to finding the necessary winter supplies ahead of this week’s storm.
“We have shovels. But there is no salt anywhere! I haven’t been able to find salt anywhere! We’ll just have to brave it, though.”
Due to supply chain issues, calcium chloride and some winter gear made of plastic are becoming harder and harder to find.
“We bought a two-year supply, which we sold out of. Fortunately, through our distributors, we were able to get another small order of sleds and shovels,” said Samantha Post, co-owner of T & M Hardware and Rental.
Post says they’re prepped for this next storm and have plenty of deicers on hand.
She says everyone’s goal in the next 24 hours should be to get rid of excess ice and snow while the temperatures briefly climb so you’re not dealing with the challenge of breaking up layer upon layer of ice following this next wintry blast.
“The ones that work the fastest for your driveway and sidewalk are your calcium chloride and your magnesium chloride. Rock salt’s not really a great option. It’s cheap. It’s big. But it’s not gonna do what you need it to do.”
She says rock salt isn’t the safest for your pets and can damage your sidewalks as well.
She says paying more for the deicers will be worth it in the long term.
However, she says to be cautious about what you’re throwing down and when because the rain can wash away anything you throw down too early.
“A little bit goes a long way with these brands. They are more expensive because of that, but again you use less of it and you have it over time.”
Post says the biggest takeaways in prepping for the storm are to buy calcium chloride and magnesium chloride now.
They work the fastest in melting the ice.
If you can’t find them at the big box stores, go to smaller family-owned hardware stores.
Most aren’t limiting you to one bag.
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