Posted by Steve Crowe on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 @ 08:15 AM
Snow Management
Tips
While we enjoy the Indian Summer weather this November the winter weather will be here before long and being prepares is the key to successfully managing snow and ice events. We received our first call for a new snowplowing contract back in August, so we have been working on our winter preparedness for several months now. Once the snow starts falling our goal is to return our customers to black pavement and safe surfaces as quickly as possible. This is easier when the sun cooperates and helps us out, otherwise we need to use chemicals to melt the slippery surfaces. The biggest challenge is trying to decide how to manage the staff and equipment during the storm to best service each account. Weather forecasts are difficult to predict for snowstorms and even tougher to predict what will happen when freezing rain is falling.
While it is near impossible to figure out before the storm what will actually happen, once the storm ends, our crews work diligently to move the snow out of the way and make it easier to move around in the winter. The number one goal is to move or scrap the snow out of the way. Sometimes the snow is packed down by cars and foot traffic; this makes it much more difficult to scrap the snow off the surface once the bond forms between the snow and pavement. We use a variety of chemicals to melt the packed snow and as it turns to liquid it runs off or if there is a lot of slush it will need to be plowed for best results. Each storm requires a different mix of chemicals and physically removing the snow in order to get the job done.
With over twenty years of snow removal experience, I recommend property owners first try to plow, shovel or scrap off the snow before it is compacted. Physically removing the snow is the best method for returning surfaces to safe conditions. Sleet and ice storms are much more difficult to clean-up after as they are difficult to shovel. Having a supply of salt stored on site to use at their discretion is a good idea to de-ice the pavement and melt slippery surfaces as needed. Be careful not to overuse these chemicals as they will get tracked into the home, damage the lawn or get into storm water drains when they are over applied.
Snow Plowing and Snow and Ice Management Services