Journal · Commercial
Snow and ice: what property managers should settle before the first storm
The decisions that make a winter go smoothly are made in early fall. Here is a checklist.
For a commercial property, the first snow of the year is a bad time to discover that nobody agreed on what triggers a plow, where the snow goes or who is responsible for the sidewalks. Most winter problems are decided, or avoided, before the season starts.
Choose the right program
Snow and ice contracts usually come in three shapes:
- Per push or per event: you pay for each service. Costs track the weather, which makes budgets harder to predict.
- Seasonal, capped: a fixed price covers service up to an agreed number of events or inches, with additional events billed separately.
- Seasonal, unlimited: a fixed price for the season regardless of snowfall. Predictable, and priced accordingly.
The right choice depends on your budget’s tolerance for surprise and on how much snow your market typically sees.
Agree on the triggers
Write down the snow depth that starts plowing, when sidewalks are cleared, when deicer is applied and whether crews pre-treat before a storm. Agree on the service order, too: fire lanes, entrances, accessible routes and loading docks usually come first.
Settle the triggers in September, not at 4 a.m. in January.
Walk the site in the fall
- Mark curbs, islands, drains, fire hydrants and speed bumps with stakes before the ground freezes.
- Choose where snow will be piled, away from drains, sight lines, accessible parking and building entrances.
- Note areas where meltwater refreezes, such as downspouts and shaded walks, for extra deicer attention.
- Agree on a site map, and give a copy to every crew that will work the property.
Pick deicers for your conditions
Rock salt is inexpensive and effective near freezing but loses much of its effect in very cold weather. Blends with calcium or magnesium chloride work at lower temperatures. Liquid brine applied before a storm can keep ice from bonding to pavement and reduce the total material used. Consider sensitive areas such as landscaping, pavers and new concrete when choosing.
Document everything
Ask for service logs with times, conditions, work performed and materials applied, and photos when possible. Good records help with budgeting and with any questions that come up after a slip or a fall.
LawnPoint plans to offer per-push, seasonal capped and seasonal unlimited programs for commercial and institutional sites in northern and mountain markets when its branches open in 2027.
Next
The Journal