As temperatures dropped and snowflakes descended, demand for salt quickly drained the supplies of some local hardware stores. The forecasts of snow also led to a sellout of sleds at one Ace Hardware store.
Supplies would normally be quickly replenished, but with nationwide temperatures as cold as they’ve been in 25 years, manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand, some said. One store manager even suggested that once heating appliances sell out, there could be a temporary shortage.
INFOBOXPlumber tips for coldest daysJeff Logan, master plumber with Scenic City Plumbing, offers some suggestions to avoid burst pipes when temperatures are really low:* Turn on a small stream of lukewarm water about the thickness of a pencil lead on the faucet the furthest away from the water heater so you get a flow of water coming from the heater, because sometimes the hot water heater will freeze up.* In houses with crawlspaces and foundation vents, the vents need to be closed off with cardboard or other material. Sometimes the wind can cause a draft to come through the crawlspace and it can freeze the pipes faster if left exposed.* Ensure that pipes are insulated and keep them warm. Consider applying heat to attics and garages that contain pipes.* Open up cabinets under any faucets and fixtures that are located on an outside wall to keep them warm.
“It’s been the coldest winter in 25 years, so I would almost say what we’ve got may be all we’re gonna get, so get while the gettings good,” said Mike Smith, manager of the Lowe’s on Gunbarrel Road.
Lowe’s, Gunbarrel Road — Mr. Smith said he depleted a one-ton supply of salt this week. The store still has a surplus of plumbing fixtures and weatherization supplies, and will keep them in stock for the foreseeable future.