Snow Removal FAQs

Because they have little traction to push snow, it takes your snow removal business twice as long to plow. Their trucks and loaders slip, particularly on uphill terrain. Slipping and falling is common among visitors. To remove the ice, you must contact a de-icing service, which will cost you extra money.

The removal of existing snow, ice, or frost from a highway, airport runway, roof, or other surface is referred to as de-icing. It comprises both mechanical and chemical methods, such as plowing, vacuuming, or scraping, as well as the use of salt or other ice-melting chemicals.

Almost everyone has a broom or rake. And they’re wonderful for clearing snow without a shovel. Brushing away light layers of snow is best done with a broom. A push broom will operate best and take the least amount of effort.

The only chemical-free alternative for clearing snow from driveways and pathways is to use outdoor electric heat. Chemicals used to melt snow have a negative impact on pets, automobiles, plants, and driveway surfaces. The damage caused by snow melting products is an extra expense that is often overlooked.

If you do not remove the snow from your driveway, you risk jeopardizing your car, house, and family. Rapid snow removal after a storm prevents the freeze/thaw cycle from generating impenetrable ice on your sidewalks and driveway. For the concrete driveway, you should also apply a salt-free ice melter.

All sidewalks, including crossing ramps, must have a 5-foot wide route cleared of snow. It is not appropriate to shovel or move snow onto the roadway. It is possible to report property owners who fail to sweep their sidewalks after a snowstorm.

Your driveway may be damaged if you do not shovel. When snow melts, it seeps into the cracks and crevices of your driveway. If the water freezes again in the cold, the ice grows and widens the fissures, inflicting damage.

Snowblowers may harm driveways made of concrete, asphalt, stone, or gravel. Damage may be reduced by using the proper snowblower, repairing damaged snowblower components, and adjusting the auger depth.

Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, works by reducing the freezing point of water, enabling ice to melt even when the temperature is below 32 degrees. A heat source is required for the salt to operate. The heat source might be air temperature over 15 degrees Fahrenheit, solar heat, or friction from automobile tires travelling over salt and ice.
When the temperature falls below 15 degrees, rock salt loses its effectiveness in removing snow and ice. To melt ice at extremely low temperatures, use a mix created for low temperatures that includes calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.

During a snowstorm, road personnel often begin cleaning roadways in the following order:
·         High-volume streets with access to hospitals, police stations, and fire stations are given first consideration.
·         Second priority street routes are those that connect to first priority street routes.
·         Neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs are the third priority street routes.

Snow and ice removal programs attempt to offer uniform service, however certain residential streets will be clearer than others due to variables such as when it is plowed during the snow storm, the quantity of traffic on the road before and after plowing, pavement temperatures, and pavement surface type.

Plow trucks must sometimes drive with their blades up. Trucks may travel with their blades up while driving to or from route sites or repair facilities in order to maintain regular speeds and prevent wearing out the plow blade when not on routes. For lesser snowfalls or distributing deicing products, some vehicles utilize an under-body blade.

Snow plows may seem to be moving too quickly for the circumstances. Plows can remove snow and ice at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. The plow truck may seem to be going faster than it is due to the loud sound of plowing, flashing lights on the vehicle, snow discharge, and sparks from contact between the plow blade and uneven surfaces.

Snow plows are meant to push snow to the side, thus snow will naturally accumulate at the ends of driveways and sidewalks during plowing. Plows will make numerous laps down your street, causing more snow to accumulate at the end of your driveway after you have shoveled. Residents must shovel snow at the end of their driveways and at sidewalk crossings if they live on a corner property. Shoveling snow back onto the highway is prohibited because it creates hazardous driving conditions.

Yes. You can help keep your neighborhood safe by not parking on the street after it snows, shoveling snow from sidewalks before it turns to ice, not putting snow back onto the streets, removing snow around fire hydrants, driving slowly during a snow storm, and keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and snow plows.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks in front of their properties as soon as feasible. To limit the quantity of ice that develops, shovel snow before walking on it. Each town has different requirements for when snow must be cleared from residential walkways.

You are responsible for keeping the fire hydrants in front of your house operational. Clear snow around fire hydrants on your property to keep your community safe in the case of an emergency.

The white or wet streaks are caused by salt brine that was placed before to a predicted storm to prevent snow and ice from sticking to the pavement. This is known as anti-icing. Anti-icing is both cost-effective and ecologically beneficial since it shortens the time required to clean roads after a storm and uses much less deicing substance.