Big Chill Blueprint

Welcome to The Big Chill Blueprint, a commercial complex designed to mirror the challenges snow removal pros face every winter. From sidewalks to parking lots, our winter experts built this hypothetical environment to share real product recommendations, maintenance strategies, and pro-tips to keep you ahead of every storm.

At Reinders, we stock the shovels, spreaders, salt, snow blowers, and tools you can trust, and it's all backed by nearly 160 years of expertise and partnerships with the industry’s top brands.

1 Driveway / Roadway / Parking Lot

Things to Consider

It’s best to apply salt before the storm to prevent the bond between ice and pavement. This enables quicker and cleaner clearing.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

Wetting your rock salt with liquid calcium chloride at the spinner will give you the extra boost needed to melt in temperatures below 20°F.

2 Sidewalk / Entryway

Things to Consider

Push the snow to the curb for the parking lot crew to remove, which optimizes the snow removal process.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

Be sure to use a calibratable spreader such as Earthway’s 36” Push Drop Spreader and calibrate with your chosen ice melt products prior to the season and once during the season to minimize product waste and save you money.

3 "Fancy" Entryway

Things to Consider

Winter-related repair costs can average $50 per 1000 sq. ft. at main entrance areas and lobbies due to chloride damage. Use non-chloride ice melters, like KF50+ to prevent costly damage.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

Apply non-chloride liquid to less than ¼” of snow/ice on ground using a fan tip nozzle and benefit from residual effect resulting in quicker snow removal. If the pending storm includes rain, use a solid deicer.

4 Parking Structure

Things to Consider

In order to protect the structural integrity of the building, minimize the use of deicing products that contain corrosive chlorides.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

Use a fan tip nozzle to get better coverage with your liquid ice melters and less product overuse/waste.

5 Inter-Complex Sidewalks

Things to Consider

Sidewalks and parking lots are the main arteries of a complex, so it is important to have them thoroughly cleared to allow safe entry into buildings. Scraping to the pavement and applying a small amount of granular or liquid ice melt will prevent tracking product into buildings while preventing the dangerous accumulation of ice for slip and falls.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

It is important to clear your sidewalk from edge to edge in every storm. One incomplete pass will allow hard pack to build up, narrowing your walking path with each additional event.

6 North Side of building vs South Side

Things to Consider

Air and ground temperatures can vary when you are treating snow and ice on the north side of a building versus the south. Daytime sun will help heat up your south parking lot and allow for rock salt to work. On the northside, the shade of the building may reduce the surface temperatures leading to more persistent snow and ice and may require calcium chloride that melts at lower temps.

Product Recommendations

Pro Tip

It is key to remove all snow and ice in a north-facing lot, the lack of sun will keep refreezing the snow and ice and creating hazards for pedestrians. This is a time when using a low-effective temperature working product such as calcium chloride is recommended.

Every qualifying purchase made online and in-store works even harder with Reinders Rewards. Earn points on qualifying products and reinvest them into account credits or rewards for your hardworking team.

With The Big Chill Blueprint, you can:

Plan smarter with surface-specific strategies
Reduce risk with proven deicing solutions
Boost efficiency with durable equipment and tools
Earn rewards on every qualifying purchase

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Expert Insights into Winter Essentials

Stay Safe in Extreme Winter Conditions

Cold weather puts your crews and business at risk. From proper gear to safe work practices, these five tips help reduce accidents, protect workers, and keep operations running smoothly. Learn how to stay efficient and prepared all season long with Reinders’ trusted cold-weather safety guidance.

Use the Right Ice Melt Amount

Overusing ice melt wastes money, damages surfaces, and impacts the environment. Using too little risks safety and liability. Discover how to calculate the correct amount to keep walkways clear and crews efficient. Reinders shares proven best practices so you can balance safety, performance, and cost-effectiveness this winter.

Pavement Temps: Key to Ice Control

Air temperature isn’t enough when planning deicing. Pavement temperature is the missing variable that determines product performance, application rates, and crew efficiency. Learn why monitoring surface temps leads to safer properties, lower material costs, and more effective snow and ice management strategies—all backed by Reinders’ trusted expertise.