Snow Removal: Keeping a Clear Path to Your Business & Home

It is extremely important to clear the parking spaces, carports, and walkways after a snowfall to give safe access to family & friends, workers, clients, and others. Quickly expelling the snow and limiting frosty surfaces is important to diminish the likelihood of slips and falls. It also shows clients you are open for business.

When it doesn’t snow too much at once it is easy to deal with on your own, yet when there is a substantial accumulation, it is time to call in the professionals. It is in these times that it is a good idea to already have a contract in place with a snow removal company, as you won’t be the only caller on those days!

Extreme temperatures and heavy snowfall prevail in the Peace Country often from October through March, and frequently into April. When snowstorms are predicted by local forecasters, it might already be too late to take measures expected to expel large amounts of snow and ice, safeguard the property and water pipes, keep everyone safe, and let your business operate smoothly. With arrangements made in advance, you can greatly restrict the impact of the disruption from “snowpocalypse”.

Why is it Important to Keep Your Property Free of Ice?

Not only does ice pose a hazard to your property, it also puts people at risk of accidents. Assuming you have a plan in place on how to deal with your snow, you need to consider the ice that could be hidden beneath even a thin layer of it. For business owners, employees who get injured when they slip and fall on ice could cost the company workers’ compensation and you may be short-staffed for a while if your employee needs time to recover. If one of your customers is injured in an accident caused by ice, your company’s reputation could be at stake, and you may end up in a lawsuit. Similarly, residential places are often bound by (at least) by-laws on keeping sidewalks clear to reduce the opportunity for anyone to slip and fall and become injured – also potentially resulting in lawsuits.

While safety risks are always at the forefront of your mind, ice also poses a danger to your property. Ice builds up on cement and asphalt and can cause cracks and potholes to form on the surface, and when the weather switches to warmer days with cold nights, that ice melts deeper into cracks, then freezes and expands – creating even bigger cracks and potholes for you to deal with.

Working with a professional snow removal company is the best way to keep your property free of ice & snow. While we can’t control the weather and keep snow from falling or ice from forming, we promise to do everything in our power to minimize the effect that ice & snow have on your property. We work with you to determine the best options for keeping your property clear – timing of clearing, how often (based on inches of accumulation), where to pile snow, or if hauling it away is more appropriate. We have a sidewalk program that helps you keep your walkways and doors clear of ice & snow all winter long. We also offer Ice Control to keep your parking lot or driveway from becoming a skating rink. Contact us today to find out how we can help you stay safe this winter!

How an asphalt parking lot benefits your business

Your parking lot is one of the first things that customers notice about your business – after perhaps your building. People will often associate the outside look of your space with the quality of business you run. If your parking lot is falling apart, full of holes, has an uneven base, or turns into a muddy slurry when it rains, this has a direct impact on your business. People take pride in their vehicles, and if your lot takes too much navigation to get through easily, people will find else where to spend their money.

Of course, the opposite is also true. If you have a wonderfully maintained parking structure, people will either notice and remark on it – or it won’t be a consideration when needing your services. Not being a consideration is a benefit as it isn’t something they are worried about – it isn’t stopping them from coming in.

The first step in looking to upgrade your parking lot is to evaluate the current condition of it. Is it gravel? Is it old asphalt? Is it newer, but could use repairs? New lines? There are different options available to you depending on what you have to work with. Reach out to companies like Nilsson Construction Ltd, and they’ll be happy to come out and make recommendations – from a complete excavate, new base, then pave, an overlay of the existing asphalt, or a clean up and seal coat or crack sealing based on what you have. Asphalt isn’t as costly as some anticipate and is also a time saver as it doesn’t take long to complete. The impact to your business is quite minimal during the process. The care and maintenance of asphalt is also less than that of concrete, saving you in the long run as well.

Caring for Your Asphalt in the Summer Months

Summer is finally upon us here up in northern Alberta – and we are always glad for it! People are spending more and more time outside, and some of that time isn’t simply for leisure! We all devote a portion of our time taking care of our homes and yards – and your asphalt driveway shouldn’t be any different! Let’s review a few simple tips that will extend the look – and life – of yours!

1. Seal cracks and repair holes as soon as you can. Have a look over your driveway now

that the good weather is here, and see what needs doing. Cracks can appear over the spring as the ground thaws and shifts, even if you had some filled in the fall. If you are a DIY’er, you can purchase sealant at the hardware store, just be sure to follow the directions carefully, and watch the weather to make sure you have adequate weather to let the sealant cure. You can always call professionals who will come and do the job for you as well. Holes can be repaired without having to tear out the whole driveway, just get them while they’re small and before they grow into a problem. Doing a full seal-coat over the entire surface is recommended every 2-5 years depending on the wear and tear of your asphalt space.

2. Don’t work with heavy machinery in high heat on your asphalt. If you can avoid parking heavy vehicles or machinery on the driveway during high heat, you’ll help to prevent ruts from forming. Asphalt is weakest when hot and can shift and separate when under stress.

3. Water your asphalt! We’re not kidding here. Have a kid’s pool to empty? What about those coolers after being at the lake? Feel free to empty them over your driveway, as this will cool your asphalt and strengthen it. We aren't talking "regular watering", just when the temperature is higher than the usual summer heat, watering to cool it helps. Some people take specific time to water it, and others will let the sprinkler reach their driveways as they water the lawn. Of course, always be aware of any water restrictions in your area, and water accordingly.

4. Keep it clean. At least in the spring and in the fall take the time to scrub down your driveway using a broom and some water. This helps keep debris from getting into tiny cracks and making them worse. Cleaning up spills that can come from vehicle maintenance, or faulty parts is a good idea, as fuel and oils can breakdown the make-up of the asphalt and cause damage.

When in doubt, or simply need an opinion on what to do, or can be done, give us a call and we'll be happy to help you keep your asphalt driveway looking its best!