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November 19, 2009 - Image 29

Resource type:
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Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2009-11-19

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winterizing

mula that equates sales with snowfall
amounts.
More than six inches of snow falling
before Dec. 31 is good for business,
he says. Sales taper off dramatically at
the end of February and it would take
significant snowfalls then for sales to
pick up again.
The situation is similar for ice melt-
ers. The later you go into winter, the
more likely the supply demand wanes
- unless there is a late season storm.
Eight different salts can melt ice and
regardless of their chemical composi-
tion salts work the same way on snow
as they do on home-made ice cream
- by lowering the melting or freezing
point of water.
The most popular ice melter is the
tried-and-true rock salt, or sodium
chloride. Kaplan says rock salt is his
best seller because of the price: a 25-
pound bag costs $2-3.
Other options are ammonium sulfate,
calcium chloride, calcium magnesium
acetate, magnesium chloride, potas-
sium acetate, potassium chloride and
urea. Each works best within a different
temperature range and each has its
pros and cons. The cons are universal
— corrosiveness and damage to con-
crete.
Rock salt works terrifically well on
sidewalks, but also can damage them.
Calcium chloride and magnesium
chloride melt ice faster than rock salt.
Potassium acetate is biodegradable.
Magnesium chloride is used on brick
pavers and wood decking.
8 horsepower, are self-propelled. The
The biggest difference between the
auger throws the snow against a rotat-
ice melters is the temperature at which
ing impeller that shoots the snow out
they operate. Rock salt works from
the chute.
20 degrees above zero to freezing.
• Nine horsepower snow blowers are
Calcium chloride works best at temper-
built for large walkways and driveways
atures ranging from 20 degrees above
in regions where snowfall is heavy.
zero to 25 degrees below zero.
Kaplan sells the single-stage snow
Blended salts are becoming popular,
blower for about $349 and the two-
such as calcium and magnesium chlo-
stage snow blowers for $499. The
ride, Kaplan says. They are
large ones run as much as $1,000. Above:
safer for pets.
Regardless of size, snow blow-
Bob Kaplan
Magnesium chloride is
ers remain "absolutely hot sell-
shows off his
quite popular because it
ers every year," Kaplan says. Of
snow blower
works well from 5 degrees
the nearly 150 he sells annually,
options.
above zero to 15 degrees
he estimates that about 120 are
below zero.
single-stage and perhaps 15-20
Shorter days, cold temper-
are the largest models.
atures, and dark, foreboding
Most snow blowers are gasoline
clouds fire up Kaplan. "We are ready to
operated, though some are powered
go," he says. "We have 100 snow blow-
by a gasoline/oil mixture. The larger
ers on hand."
models have headlights and heated
Just in case you don't want to spend
handles. Engines are better and easier
the money on a snow blower or plow
starting today and the snow blowers
service, distrust chemicals and are feel-
can last up to 15 years, he says.
ing particularly macho, Kaplan offers
Most snow blowers sell by Dec. 31,
another alternative - snow shovels,
says Kaplan, citing an industry for-
thousands of them. I

Battling Winter

There are lots of choices when
it comes to getting rid of snow.

Steve Raphael

Special to the Jewish News

W

inter remains a pain in
the neck to Dr. David
Harold, 63, even though
he bought a snow blower
two seasons ago to ease the strain
of cleaning his walkways. Without a
blower, winter can become a pain in
the back and heart if you do your own
shoveling, he says.
"Back pain and shortness of breath
are things that men over age 50 have
to start thinking about," says the West
Bloomfield urologist.
That's not all you have to think about.
"You always want to know which way
the wind is blowing and where you are
standing; you don't want to be down
wind with this thing."
As winter draws ominously near,
Detroiters have to decide how to get rid
of snow on their sidewalks and drive-
ways. Plowing service? Snow blow-
ers? Next to choosing a warm-weather

vacation destination, it could be the
most important decision a homeowner
could make this winter.
And then there's another option
— dumping salt all over your walkways
and driveway.
Harold bought his snow blower from
Bob Kaplan, the second-generation
owner of Northside Tru Value in Wayne.
Kaplan's family has owned the store
since 1956.
Three different styles of snow blow-
ers are on the market and Kaplan sells
all three. There also is a mind-boggling
choice of eight different ice melters to
use. Kaplan sells those, too.
The size of your home determines
the appropriate snow blower for your
needs, Kaplan says.
• Single-stage snow blowers work
best for homeowners with relatively
small spaces to clear. The auger shoots
the snow directly out the discharge
chute, creating a 20-inch to 22-inch-
wide cleared path. Harold owns this
size snow blower.
• Two-stage snow blowers, with 5-

November 19 • 2009

29

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