How to Manage Your Snow and Ice This Winter

Most of us would rather dream of summer blooms while sipping on a cup of hot cocoa than think about snow and ice — but if it’s not managed correctly snow and ice can become a real hazard. Over a million people in the U.S. are injured by slip and fall accidents each year, and over 17,000 die from their injuries.  

But there are things you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe this winter — here’s a list of the snow and ice management techniques we use with our own clients.

Channel your inner weatherman...

When your neighborhood is hit with a winter storm — or even just a simple snowfall — you want to be confident your walkways, driveways, porches and sidewalks will be kept safe and clear. 

At Brandon Rushing, we rely on our 24/7 weather monitoring system to alert our team whenever a snow event is expected. We’re given real-time updates on the status of each and every storm that rolls through — so we know when to start plowing and how often we need to plow.

There’s no need to call or schedule a visit. Our teams and equipment are kept prepared and ready to serve your home quickly and thoroughly for each snow event and will be automatically sent to your property.

Pro tip: If you’re not subscribed to our snow and ice removal service, you can monitor the weather yourself by tuning into your local station for updates.

Prevent slips and make shoveling easier...

Deicers and anti-icers are chemicals that help to break or prevent a bond between the ice and concrete, making it easier to shovel. But they can be toxic to the environment and corrosive to your driveway concrete, so it’s important to apply them sparingly and according to package instructions.

We apply a thin layer after removing the snow to prevent further ice from forming and reduce slipping hazards.

If the snowfall is light — under an inch or two — and doesn’t need clearing or plowing, salt and de-icers can safely melt the snow and ice before they cause any serious issues.

If you’re taking care of your own sidewalks and paths, follow these steps to keep them safe:

• Keep walkways shoveled, since snow quickly becomes ice when walked upon.
• Pre-treat walkways before the storm hits to make it easier to shovel.
• Mix sand with salt — you'll use less to melt ice and gain the traction provided by the sand.

Pro tip: Salt begins to lose its ability to melt ice at lower temperatures, so if it’s extremely cold you’ll have to manually remove the snow and ice or use ice melt products specifically made for the bitter cold.

Timing is everything!

At Brandon Rushing, when the snow starts to pile up we send our crews, plows and shovels out to your property. Starting too late, or not clearing snow often enough, can create slipping hazards and make removal much more difficult than it has to be — which is why we’re so proactive!

But keep in mind that the first service is not always the best service. If light snow begins to fall at midnight, it might make more sense to request service closer to the morning. That way your walkways are clear when you need them.

Pro tip: If you’re taking care of your own snow, it’s better (and easier!) to shovel a few inches several times a day than to face a few feet all at once. 

Will you be ready?

Most of us aren’t looking forward to slipping and sliding our way through winter — even people who love winter sports get weary of trudging through unplowed sidewalks.

If you’d like help managing your snow and ice this winter, give our team a call and add snow and ice removal services to your current property care program.

Not a client yet? It’s not too late to hop on board — book a consultation!

Our dedicated snow and ice crew will be happy to help keep you and your family safe from slips and falls this winter.