When winter weather hits, being prepared isn’t optional—it’s essential. For municipalities, contractors, and commercial property managers, the ability to store and distribute salt products efficiently can make the difference between a quick, effective response and costly delays. Whether you’re storing bulk salt for a large fleet or distributing bagged product for multiple sites, here are our top tips to help you keep operations running smoothly when conditions get icy.

Choose the Right Salt for Your Needs

Before diving into storage and distribution, it’s important to make sure you’re working with the right type of salt. Laney Recycling and Aggregates offers a variety of products to meet different needs, including:

• Bulk rock salt for roads and large commercial areas
• Treated salt (such as enhanced with magnesium chloride or calcium chloride) for improved performance in extreme cold

Matching the salt type to the job not only improves performance but also ensures cost-effective usage and minimizes waste.

Store Salt in a Covered, Dry Location

Salt is highly susceptible to moisture, which can cause clumping and reduce its effectiveness. To protect your investment and maintain quality:

• Store bulk salt in a covered storage building or tarp-covered containment area
• Make sure the storage space has proper drainage to prevent pooling water
• Keep salt off the ground using a concrete pad or raised platform to avoid contamination and runoff
• Regularly inspect your storage area for leaks or signs of exposure

By preventing salt from absorbing moisture, you’ll reduce material loss and keep your product ready for fast deployment.

Organize Your Storage for Fast Access

Time matters during a snow or ice event. Whether you’re working with truckloads or hand crews, your salt needs to be accessible.

• Designate separate areas for different product types (bulk vs. bagged)
• Use clear signage or inventory labels for easy identification
• Maintain an organized loading zone for equipment to access salt quickly without delays or confusion

Clear organization makes loading faster, reduces equipment wait times, and minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between products.

Calibrate and Maintain Spreading Equipment

Efficient distribution doesn’t just depend on salt—it also depends on your equipment. Spreaders and trucks should be regularly calibrated to ensure accurate application rates. Over-application wastes material and under-application reduces safety.

Routine maintenance and pre-season checks can catch issues before they disrupt your operations mid-storm. Make sure your team knows how to adjust spreader settings based on conditions and salt type.

Monitor Inventory and Reorder Early

Running out of salt during a snowstorm isn’t just inconvenient—it can be dangerous and costly. Keeping close tabs on your salt inventory helps avoid emergency shortages.

• Implement a tracking system to monitor daily usage
• Reorder before you reach critical low levels
• Work with a supplier (like LRA) that offers reliable delivery and restocking services

Staying ahead of demand ensures your crews are always ready—no matter how unpredictable winter weather gets.

Train Your Team on Best Practices

Even the best products and systems can’t succeed without a well-trained team. Make sure your crew understands how to:

• Properly load, store, and handle salt
• Follow safety protocols for icy conditions
• Use salt products efficiently and avoid overuse

A proactive, well-informed team improves overall efficiency and helps reduce waste, liability, and downtime.

Partner with LRA for Salt Products and Winter Prep Solutions

At Laney Recycling & Aggregates, we supply high-quality salt products and support services to help you prepare for winter with confidence. We provide the materials, delivery options, and local expertise you need to stay ahead of the storm. Contact us today to learn more about our products, delivery options, and storage recommendations for your operation.