Iowa Deicing Supply

Public bid Ames, Iowa rock salt bids for 2026–27: $97.49–$100 a ton, delivered, on 2,500 tonsEst. contractor bulk Bulk rock salt at the yard: roughly $100–$150 a ton, depending on volume and freightEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Est. calcium chloride Calcium chloride pellets run $800+ a pallet. It's the cold-weather specialistNOAA normal Cedar Rapids averages 34.3 inches of snow a seasonNOAA normal Iowa City averages 27.5 inches of snow a seasonNOAA normal Des Moines averages 36.5 inches of snow a seasonRule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itPublic bid Ames, Iowa rock salt bids for 2026–27: $97.49–$100 a ton, delivered, on 2,500 tonsEst. contractor bulk Bulk rock salt at the yard: roughly $100–$150 a ton, depending on volume and freightEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Est. calcium chloride Calcium chloride pellets run $800+ a pallet. It's the cold-weather specialistNOAA normal Cedar Rapids averages 34.3 inches of snow a seasonNOAA normal Iowa City averages 27.5 inches of snow a seasonNOAA normal Des Moines averages 36.5 inches of snow a seasonRule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › Storm-readiness checklist

Storm-readiness checklist

A printable pre-season and pre-storm checklist for crews and property managers.

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Print it, tape it in the shop, and check it off. A storm is a bad time to find out the spinner motor is dead.

Pre-season (October)

Walk every site; mark curbs, islands, hydrants and drains with snow stakes
Photograph sites before snow (existing cracks, damage, drainage)
Calibrate every spreader and sprayer; tape charts in cabs
Service plows, spreaders, blowers, generators and heaters
Lock in material: fall pre-buy, delivery schedule, storage plan
Stock pallets of ice melt for walks and entrances
Confirm contracts: triggers, areas, refreeze responsibility
Set up your documentation app or log sheets
Train crews on routes, rates and logging

48 hours out

Check forecast timing, precipitation type and pavement temps
Anti-ice bridges, ramps, entrances and shaded drives (unless it starts as rain)
Top off salt and liquid; order resupply now, not mid-storm
Fuel trucks, cans and generators; charge radios and lights
Confirm crew schedule and backups

During the storm

Plow before you salt; don't salt deep snow
Treat by pavement temperature and trend, not habit
Prioritize entrances, ADA routes, ramps, shaded walks
Log every visit: times, conditions, material, photos
Report hazards to owners in writing
Rotate crews; warm up and eat. Tired crews make mistakes

After

Check for refreeze at dusk and before dawn
Push back piles away from walks and drains
Sweep and reuse leftover salt on dry pavement
Wash and grease equipment; check brine pumps and lines
Reconcile tons used vs. plan; reorder before the next storm

Next in the guidePavement temperature beats air temperature →

Sources

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.

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