‘Prepare now’: Lincoln hardware store says to buy the right ice melt as subzero temps loom
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Your ice melt could be useless with subzero temperatures moving into Nebraska.
Most salts and ice melts are great tools to keep your driveways and sidewalks cleared.
But John Dageforde, the general manager of Ace Hardware near 27th Street and Capitol Parkway, said if it gets too cold, those ice melts will not work.
Most become ineffective when the temperatures hit 10 to 20 degrees below zero.
“After it does warm up, it will become effective then,” Dageforde said. “Ice melt is activated by moisture, by water; that’s what gets it to melt.”
Later this week, you’ll want to walk carefully as the ice melt might not be doing its job.
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And Dageforde said that’s not the only thing you should plan ahead for.
He said as the temperatures get to these dangerous lows, if you have an older home with exposed pipes, they can freeze easily.
“Since we know it’s going to be that cold, prepare now,” he said. “There can be some expenses involved, but if you have burst pipes, you’re talking hundreds into thousands of dollars to repair and the inconvenience of probably not being able to be in your home for a week, two weeks.”
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He said homeowners can stock up on things like space heaters and insulation for pipes and windows.
“Be prepared,” Dageforde said. “Take the action now because afterwards, it’s too late.”
