Winter is coming, and maintenance managers know that being prepared is the first step in preventing winter accidents and maintaining their property. It may be early in the season to be thinking about ice melt, but it’s better to get ahead than to scramble once the winter weather hits.

Ordering from your supplier early may save you money by avoiding any inventory shortages or holdups when the season gets busy. Similarly, you may find it easier to secure your desired delivery date before the busy season.

In addition, putting down ice melt before a predicted snowfall creates a brine, protecting the walkway or driveway surface and making it easier to remove accumulating snow and ice. Ordering early ensures that you have what you need ahead of time, and this step becomes a simple part of your outdoor maintenance.

Here are some tips for ordering this year’s ice melt early:

• Decide on the best type for your business from rock salt to treated salts, liquid brines, enhanced blends, and more. Factor in traffic levels, weather, the location and surface, and sustainability goals, to make the best decision.
• Experts recommend that you have enough ice melt for three to four snowstorms, so ensure that you order enough to cover at least the first part of the season.
• Look at the data to gauge the average snowfall and need in your area. If you have not been tracking snow patterns and inventory levels from previous years, start to record ice melt usage to be better able to budget for your needs next year. To predict snowfall, look at about five years of weather history as an average to follow.
• Consider available storage at this time of year and provide space where it can be easily accessed in a surprise snowstorm. Store ice melt inside to avoid hardening and clumping, and place it in a cool, dry environment and an airtight container.
• Think about the inside of your building, too. Ordering matting for your entrance and walkways at the same time can help avoid the ice melter and debris from being tracked through your building.

Though it seems like there’s plenty of time before the first snowfall, maintenance managers can get ahead of the game by ordering ice melt early.