You may be wondering how to effectively plan ahead for snow removal. Whether you are a professional snow removal contractor or simply trying to protect your property during winter snowfalls, we’ve got you covered. Here are some steps to take when preparing for winter snow and snow removal.
Prepare For Snow Removal By Getting Proper Equipment And Prepping Property
Check that your snow blower works properly and check its gas or battery levels to make sure it is ready to go for winter. Prepare for snow removal by getting shovels, roof rakes, and pet-safe ice-melt or rock salt before winter storms hit.
Additionally, you can mark the boundaries of your property with reflective stakes along edges of walkways, driveways, or hidden obstacles to protect the plow’s blades. You can also identify and mark heating or dryer vents to stop heavy drifts from blocking them.
Plan Ahead For Snow Removal By Creating A Placement Strategy
When preparing for a snow storm, it is a smart idea to map out a plan for snow piles during plowing. When planning, ensure that the spots you choose for snow piles are on the low side of your property so melting does not run down on sidewalks or refreeze. Make sure to never pile snow in front of fire hydrants, drainage grates, or mailboxes.
Spread Salt To Prepare For Snow Removal
Before a snow storm, either spray salt brine or spread rock salt onto sidewalks, streets, and roads to ensure safety, non-sticking, and faster snow melting. As snow falls, continue to add rock salt to accumulated snow or ice on roads.
It is best to apply salt a few hours before a snowfall, but it can also be effective for up to 24-48 hours before snow starts to fall. If you are using rock salt, a good method is to pre-wet it with brine so it sticks better to pavement and reduces bouncing and scattering.
Focus salt spreading on high-traffic areas like walkways, stairs, neighborhood streets, and high-traffic roads. You will not need to spread salt on areas that are barren and not icy or snowy.
Salt Application Techniques For Snow Removal
An effective method to keep in mind when spreading salt is the handful technique. You don’t need a white sheet of salt on the pavement. Simply take a handful of salt and sprinkle it in back-and-forth motions over walkways or roads, leaving space between granules. Typically a 12 oz coffee mug should be plenty to cover a 20-foot driveway.
If snow has already fallen, you should shovel first and then apply rock salt. Applying salt to a large volume will not be effective in melting snow. So, shovel the bulk amount of snow and then spread it over the remaining ice or snow. Also, during snowfalls, clear the snow in shifts to prevent heavy packed snow from accumulating.
Contact Winterstone For Professional Snow Removal
Looking for a snow removal contractor to prepare for the winter season? We’ve got you covered. At Winterstone, we offer expert snow removal for commercial properties, from liquid de-icing, snow relocation, hazard analysis, snow melting, and more. Contact Winterstone today to get your snow removal needs taken care of.
