During winter, snow removal is an important task for cities and neighborhoods. Cities and towns maintain a fleet of vehicles to clear roads of snow. The first vehicles to arrive are gritters, which spread salt to help melt snow and ice. The salt also provides traction to vehicles. The next vehicles are snow plows, which push snow to the sides of the road. Salt trucks then return to treat remaining areas of snow and ice.
Snow removal companies typically offer contract services and may charge per-time or per-inch. The per-time option is usually billed monthly. The cost is generally higher than the will-call option. Additionally, contracts may include additional price factors, including automatic or manual services and salt applications. When choosing a company, it is important to ask about its contract and price policy.
During winter, snow removal services must be scheduled in advance. The process is best executed when a snowfall is forecast. However, plows should not be used to remove snow if the amount is less than two inches. This is because they can damage the surfaces. Homeowners should clear their sidewalks, driveways, and pathways. However, for larger areas, homeowners should call a professional snow removal service. These services will come to their property and use various snow removal equipment, de-icer, and equipment.
Snow removal is a time-consuming process that involves many workers. County streets and trails are cleared first, and neighborhood streets are cleared later. This process may take several days, depending on the severity of the snowfall. During this period, it is important to keep your cars out of the way and in driveways.
After the snow removal is complete, the recovery activities begin. These activities include clearing the snow from sidewalks, bike parking, and walkways and securing emergency egress areas. In addition, maintenance activities include daily monitoring, packed snow removal, and application of traction control. The recovery phase is an important step when dealing with a snow emergency.
Snow removal is an essential part of wintertime. It keeps walkways and streets clear, but it’s important not to throw snow into the street. Otherwise, you may be subject to fines and civil penalties. As a property owner, you must follow all snow removal rules and regulations, especially regarding parking and sidewalks.
Snow removal is not cheap, but it’s an important part of a city’s public works budget. In winter, thousands of employees work around the clock to clear parking lots and streets. Depending on the amount of snow, the amount of work required can vary widely. For example, a city like Montreal, which receives 225 cm of snow each year, spends $158 million Canadian on snow removal. On the other hand, a city like Toronto, with a population 50 per cent larger than Montreal, receives just 125 cm of snow each year.
If you live in a property that has several tenants, you may want to consider hiring a property management company to take care of snow removal for your complex. This service can help prevent slipping and falling. It is also important to make sure that the sidewalks are clear of ice as quickly as possible. If possible, use rock salt or sand to make walking surfaces safer.