Fighting ice: Conditions put homeowners to work

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The snow and ice Thursday put Hoosier homeowners to work. 

Indianapolis hardware stores were selling ice melt and shovels throughout the morning. 

James Taylor, who lives just north of downtown, bought the pet-friendly ice melt to protect his dog, Eddie. 

“What happened to fall?” Taylor said. “Here we are preparing for snow when the leaves are still on the trees.”

He covered his sidewalks, porch and handicapped ramp because he doesn’t want fall to end with a fall.

Taylor shopped at Fusek’s True Value, where Sue Fusek said her customer count jumped about 50 percent Thursday morning. 

“We’re going to be restocking (on ice melt) momentarily,” she said just after 11 a.m. 

The hardware store sells ice melt that will work in temperatures as cold as 15 below zero, or a lower-priced option that works in temperatures as cold as 7 below zero.

“Weather’s going to be weather, whether or not,” Taylor said. 

It’s a safe bet Taylor will be stocking up again this winter. 

“I’m from Indiana. If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. It’ll change to something you like less,” Taylor said. 

Experts said rock salt is not the best option for your home because it can damage cement.