Are you a snow plow contractor? If so, you will come across the need to stock up on road salt so that you can use it when helping your clients with their winter snow removal needs. If you’ve been in the business for any length of time, you know the risk of Rock Salt shortages is high so stocking up is vital. However, you will also need to adhere to special storage methods, which can help you with storing the salt for a longer period of time while still making sure it isn’t damaged. Continue to read and we will share some of the most effective methods.
Store road salt in a place where you can easily access
Having a reliable shelter for your rock salt supply is useless if you can’t get it whenever you need it. And if you’ve worked in the snow-clearing business for a while, you’re aware that certain storms may hit hard and quickly. In fact, it moves so quickly that a few kilometers might be the difference in between a successful night of snow clearing that will please your customers and an abject night with little advancement.
Having said that, you’ll want to make sure the salt placement is tactical. Your best option is to keep it in a building on-site at each client’s location. It’s also a good idea to store some at the home station so you can put it into your vehicle and be prepared to go at a moment’s notice. Consider triangulating your clients as well as your home on a map to discover a centralized hub where you can store the salt then you’re never too far away when you require some. If for any reason your home and your client’s property would not cater to any salt reserves or will facilitate too little, then think about it.
Make sure that you don’t violate any laws by storing salt
Make sure that whichever method you choose to use to preserve your salt does not violate any legal requirements. For instance, many counties have laws that prohibit the storing of rock salt when it is constantly in touch with the earth. Do your homework and pick a storage option that suits your needs and is eventually a secure and legal way to store things. The main thing to keep in mind while storing salt in bulk is to keep it dry.
Prevent lumping and hardening of salt
Because salt absorbs so much moisture and heat, its molecular structure is quickly changed. The exact same phenomenon occurs when rock salt clumps & harden. An airtight container is one of the finest bulk salt storage solutions to prevent clumping and hardening. This is particularly important when keeping unsealed salt bags. In this case, adding a bit of coal to a bag may be helpful. Depending on your salt storage requirements, you are encouraged to invest money in purchasing appropriate bags. Then you will be able to simply use them for all your salt storage needs.
Control the temperature and humidity
The ideal environment is crucial when considering how to keep bulk road salt. Salt may quickly absorb moisture, which might lead to a short shelf life and render the salt useless if it becomes brick-like in consistency.
Because of this, storing road salt is best done in a climate-controlled area. Rock salt can keep for a lot longer if it is kept in a cold, dry environment. Try to keep the humidity as low as you can. The efforts that you put to keep humidity and temperature under control can help you with staying away from hassle in the long run.
Invest in weatherproof bulk salt storage
The worst thing you can do is spend money on salt for the roads and a place to store it, only to find that the weather has damaged your supply. Although salt is a sturdy material that you will literally dump on the ground, a little tender loving care will go a long way in keeping the salt in excellent condition until you are ready to utilize it. Make sure your salt is kept dry and out of the elements someplace where it can stay away from the rain and snow.
Professional snow removal crews often employ quick-to-erect pop-up shelters called “instant garages” that serve as straightforward storage facilities. To prevent the cover from being removed by the wind when employing a waterproof fabric or tarp, pressure should be provided to the area around the base. A less expensive option is to enclose your salt in concrete blocks and cover it with a big sheet to keep moisture out.
Make sure you can transport it easily
If the snow removal company is significant enough that you need a special storage facility for the rock salt reserves, you’ll probably want to purchase your salt in bulk, which means you’ll have a lot to store all at once.
Extremely heavy, particularly in large quantities, is rock salt. Make sure you can readily get your salt to your snow-clearing locations, no matter where it is kept. To do so, you may need to put it onto the back of the vehicle or buy a salt spreader. In any case, be sure you are having appropriate means to transport it.
Maintaining a snow plowing business in today’s world is not so easy as well. You must recall a period when things were less complicated, and you weren’t concerned with so many complicated parts. But the reason for it is that you didn’t get the clientele you have today. The necessity to keep salt in excess is ultimately a good thing since it indicates your business is flourishing and that you’re doing something correctly.
But doing everything well is a crucial component of operating a successful company. And keeping your customers satisfied requires properly storing bulk salt. You can rest easy knowing that you’ll be among the first fleets out prior to the next major storm as long as the bulk salt storage system is convenient, waterproof, secure, and portable.
Questions?