As snowflakes gently fall outside the window of your Fredericton property, you wonder when the right time to start plowing is. Whether you are responsible for maintaining roads, managing a property, or keeping your own driveway clear, knowing when to begin snow plowing during a snowstorm can make the difference between a manageable situation and a challenging one. Lets explore the key factors that help you make this critical decision.
Understanding when to initiate snow plowing in Fredericton is most important for both home and business owners. Poor timing can lead to dangerous conditions, property damage, and significant liability issues. For homeowners, delayed plowing can result in blocked access to emergency vehicles, difficulty getting vehicles out for work, or dangerous walking conditions for family members.
Business owners face even greater challenges. Late plowing can mean lost revenue when customers can’t access your property safely. It might also create slip-and-fall hazards, leading to potential lawsuits. Additionally, packed snow from vehicle traffic becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to remove, often requiring special equipment or ice-melting chemicals.
Making informed decisions about plowing timing helps maintain property value, ensures safety, and manages snow removal costs effectively throughout the winter season.
You need to monitor snow buildup carefully on your driveway or parking lot surface. For residential driveways, when light snow falls at less than 1 inch per hour, you can usually wait until about 2 inches accumulates before calling your plow service. This approach helps minimize service costs while maintaining accessibility to your property.
For commercial parking lots, your threshold should be lower. With light snowfall, start plowing at 1-1.5 inches to ensure customer safety and prevent liability issues. Remember that vehicle traffic in parking lots can quickly compact snow, making it harder to remove if you wait too long.
During moderate snowfall (1-2 inches per hour), don’t wait – contact your snow removal service when your driveway reaches 1.5 inches. For parking lots, arrange for continuous service during business hours once accumulation reaches 1 inch. This prevents snow from building up in high-traffic areas and keeps your property accessible.
If you are experiencing heavy snowfall exceeding 2 inches per hour, immediate action becomes crucial. Your driveway can quickly become unusable, potentially trapping vehicles or preventing emergency access.
For parking lots, heavy snowfall requires constant attention during operating hours to maintain safe conditions for customers and employees. The key is staying ahead of accumulation – it’s much easier to clear fresh snow than to remove packed or frozen layers later.
Remember that these guidelines may need adjustment based on your property’s specific needs. Steep driveways might require earlier intervention, while flat surfaces might allow slightly more accumulation before plowing becomes necessary.
The type of snow falling affects how quickly you need to clear your property. On driveways and parking lots, wet, heavy snow poses significant challenges. This moisture-laden snow weighs more and can damage surfaces when vehicles drive over it repeatedly. For your driveway, tackle wet snow before it reaches 2 inches to prevent a frozen, compacted layer. In parking lots, start removal even earlier – around 1 inch – since multiple vehicles will pack it down quickly.
Light, powdery snow gives you more flexibility for your property. This type is easier to clear and less likely to form ice bonds with your driveway or parking lot surface. You can usually wait until 2-3 inches accumulate on driveways, while parking lots might tolerate up to 2 inches before requiring plowing. However, keep watching accumulation rates, as even light snow can become problematic if left too long.
Pavement temperature plays an important role in determining your plowing schedule. When surface temperatures hover near or above freezing (32°F/0°C), snow is less likely to bond immediately with the roadway. This gives you more flexibility in your start time, and salt treatments tend to work more effectively. However, when pavement temperatures drop well below freezing, snow can quickly bond to the surface, creating a stubborn layer that becomes increasingly difficult to remove with each passing minute.
Your snow plowing schedule needs to align with how your property is used throughout the day. For residential driveways, focus on clearing snow before morning departure times and evening returns to ensure family members can safely enter and exit. Consider additional clearing if you expect visitors or deliveries during the day.
For commercial parking lots, prioritize high-traffic zones like main entrance areas and primary parking rows. Start plowing these sections when accumulation reaches one inch, particularly during business hours when customer traffic is heaviest. Customer entrance paths and loading zones need special attention since frequent use will quickly compact snow into dangerous ice patches. Pay extra attention during peak business hours when vehicle turnover is highest, as this constant traffic can rapidly transform light snow into hazardous conditions.
During extended winter storms, you will need to implement a continuous plowing strategy. If forecasts predict ongoing snowfall, you should establish a regular plowing schedule rather than waiting for specific accumulation levels. This might mean running your plows every few hours to prevent excessive buildup. Remember that continuous plowing helps prevent the formation of deep, compacted snow that becomes increasingly difficult to remove.
Your choice of a snow removal company in Fredericton should depend on their available resources and reliability. When selecting a contractor for your driveway or parking lot, verify they have multiple well-maintained plows and backup equipment to handle extended storms. Professional services should demonstrate they maintain their fleet regularly and keep adequate supplies of fuel and materials on hand.
For residential driveways, ensure your chosen service has enough operators to provide reliable clearing during both early morning and evening hours.
Commercial property owners should confirm their contractor has sufficient staff for continuous operation during business hours, with dedicated crews assigned to maintain your parking lot throughout major storms.
Look for services that maintain an ample supply of salt and de-icing materials specifically allocated for their contracted properties. The best snow removal contractors will have established relationships with material suppliers and maintain emergency reserves to handle unexpected weather events. They should be able to explain their resource management strategy and show how they will prioritize your property during major snowstorms.
Here where Atlantic Hardscape and Concrete in Fredericton comes in to help. We offer reliable emergency snow removal services for residential and commercial clients. With a well-equipped fleet and experienced team, we ensure prompt and efficient service, even during major snowstorms. Our commitment to maintaining top-notch tools and adequate resources allows us to meet the unique needs of every client. Contact us to experience best snow removal that keeps your property safe and accessible.
During mixed precipitation events, timing your plowing operations becomes particularly critical. You should plow before rain begins if there’s significant snow accumulation, as rain falling on deep snow can create a heavy, slushy mixture that’s difficult to remove. However, if light snow is followed by rain with temperatures above freezing, you might wait to see if natural melting occurs. Always monitor weather forecasts and pavement temperatures to make the most effective decision for your specific situation.
Certain weather conditions make snow plowing particularly challenging and potentially dangerous. During blizzards, the combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds creates near-zero visibility, making plowing operations hazardous. High winds can form rapid snowdrifts, while freezing rain creates treacherous ice layers that complicate removal efforts. When snow accumulation exceeds 18 inches, standard plowing equipment may struggle and risk damage. In these extreme situations, waiting for conditions to improve is often the safest choice. Focus on using de-icing treatments and alternative removal methods when possible, and always prioritize operator safety over rapid snow clearing. Remember that attempting to plow in severe conditions can lead to equipment damage, property issues, or getting stranded.
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