Poor snow removal practices can be obvious immediately when you notice a loss of business, or they can rear their ugly heads in the spring when you realize you need expensive hardscape or softscape repairs to fix the damage. Here are 6 potential consequences of neglecting commercial snow removal in Naperville, IL.
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1. Landscape Damage
Unfortunately, damage to the landscape happens all too frequently. Plowed snow has been compacted during plowing, and it is therefore much heavier than fallen snow. This weight can cause considerable damage to the landscape.
According to the law, any snow that originates on a property has to stay there or be removed completely. Improper snow plowing practices can shove heavy, wet snow onto landscaping, crushing shrubs and hedges, breaking low tree limbs, and suffocating turf gasses. The plow itself can also cause ugly scars on the landscape.
2. Hardscape Damage
Since it’s impossible for snowplow operators to see what lies under the snow, it’s all too easy to damage retaining walls, mailboxes, landscape lighting fixtures, benches, flowerbed edging, or signage.
Poor snow management can wreak havoc on parking lots and walkways. Any snow or ice that remains on the ground will undergo the freeze-thaw cycle, which can cause damage to solid surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Heaving, cracking, and chipping are costly to repair. Snow plows can scratch the surface of paver driveways, and pavers can also become stained and etched if the wrong deicing chemicals are used.
3. Safety Concerns
Snow that is pushed off a parking area can reduce visibility and make it dangerous for cars to exit onto the road. You don’t want your address to be obscured in case emergency personnel need to access your business quickly.
4. Loss of Business
Large piles of snow can obscure your business name, and slick parking lots and walkways don’t offer a welcome to customers.
5. Building Damage
The freeze-thaw cycle virtually ensures that any snow left in parking lots or walkways will melt and the runoff will re-freeze. This can happen multiple times over the course of the winter, and it presents a serious safety hazard. Melting snow, especially if a heavy snow is followed by warm weather, can cause water damage to a building’s foundation.
6. Vehicle Damage
Having a car “plowed in” is more than an annoyance. It’s a safety hazard. Cars are easily damaged by debris such as rocks that may be carried along by the snowplow.
The Solution
A reputable snow management company will visit your property and clearly mark the areas to be plowed, as well as any landscape features. They will take note of the driveway/walkway surface so that they can take appropriate precautions. Snow plows should be set at the lowest possible plow setting to effectively remove snow without damaging the surface. A reputable snow removal company will make special allowances for concrete or natural stone pavers, including raising the plow height and/or using blades that are protected by silicone or rubber blade guards. Also, they will only use deicers that do not damage hardscape surfaces.
Work with a snow removal company rather than a snow plowing company. Removing snow from the premises is the only way to avoid damage from heavy snow piles and the ongoing hassle of melting and refreezing snow.
At GoldLeaf, we take pride in our commercial snow management services. We aim to keep your property safe and attractive. To avoid long wait times in the busy season, schedule your services today.
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