Even before winter strikes, it is vital to have a snow removal plan in the City of Waterloo. Both commercial properties and private, need to ensure that snow is cleared in all public areas, and hiring a snow removal company is the easiest way to prepare for winter and avoid any issues. Planning ahead ensures you have reliable, efficient snow removal, so you don’t have the headache of finding a company once the snow starts to fall.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
When our snow removal team talks to property managers, one of their most significant pain points is the sidewalk maintenance of both municipal and inner sidewalks. These areas see the largest amount of foot traffic and can pose a significant danger for people if they are not properly maintained.
The City of Waterloo bylaw states that all commercial and residential sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours from the end of a snow event. Failure to comply with this can result in a fine. If sidewalks are not cleared during or immediately after a snowstorm, the snow and ice will start to become hard-packed. Once this happens, it is nearly impossible for someone to clear the sidewalks with a shovel or snow blower.
As a property owner, it’s essential to talk to your snow plow contractor about sidewalk maintenance. Sidewalks need to be plowed and salted promptly following a snowfall. And additional visits will be required for salt to be applied after a small snowfall (under 2 cm) or during freezing rain events. Many snow removal companies overlook this important part of the process, which can leave you liable for a city fine, or in some cases, for injuries caused by snow or ice on the sidewalk. This makes sidewalk snow removal an essential service in your winter property maintenance plan.
At Snow Tech, we use a mix of small John Deere and Kubota sidewalk tractors to clear sidewalks. Our state-of-the-art snow-clearing equipment includes snow plows with hydraulic blades that are four to five feet in width, which allows us to clear the entire width of the sidewalk with fewer passes. This allows us to quickly and effectively plow deep or drifting snow.
Snow plows and shovels should be strictly used for smaller, inner sidewalks that are more narrow. If you have a lot of municipal sidewalks at your property, it is recommended that you hire a company with sidewalk tractors or comparable equipment to handle the job.
Ice Removal
For ice removal, if you have well-maintained concrete paths or interlocking walkways, you may want to consider more eco-friendly options such as calcium chloride. We recommend this alternative to salt for our clients as it works well even in the coldest conditions and can melt ice faster than anything else on the market.
Using salt can cause damage to the outside of buildings, parking lots, concrete, and bricks, so property managers are often looking for alternatives. We find our high-end clients use Ice Melt by doorways to help reduce salt being carried into buildings from foot traffic. Ice Melt is often used on porous surfaces or where the rock salt is a concern because it can eventually cause damage and reach structural rebar.
Hiring A Snow Maintenance Company
A snow maintenance company can ensure that your sidewalks are cleared on time, and safely, so you are not liable for any injuries and will not receive a citation. When ice is present, it can be hard to deal with on your own. A reliable company will also ensure that ice is dealt with so you can rest easy. The products used to treat the ice can also be tailored to your company’s needs.
Maintaining property in the winter months doesn’t have to be a nuisance. When you hire a reputable company, you can rest assured your outdoor space will be taken care of no matter what Mother Nature throws at the region.
Leading Snow Removal Team
Last year, we cleared a total of 40 km of sidewalks in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. This year, we would love to add your property to our growing list of happy customers. As Kitchener-Waterloo’s leading snow removal team, our technicians understand that it is important to treat and clear your sidewalks, entryways, and parking lots before the day begins. That’s why we arrive at your property early before anyone else gets there so that your property is ready for business.
Contact us today to schedule your snow removal services.