3 Useful Tips for Planning Ahead for Winter
For home and business owners in Alaska, winter weather means something different than it does for people elsewhere in the U.S. It’s not a matter of if winter storms will hit, but when and how hard. To keep family members, employees, customers, and the general community safe, Alaska residents must start planning for winter in advance. From addressing ice to snow plowing, here are some considerations to bear in mind.
How to Prepare for Winter Weather
1. Assess Your Property
Before winter storms hit, it’s important to perform any necessary maintenance or repairs. If you haven’t already done so, clean out your gutters so melting snow has a clear path for runoff. Patch any holes or have any damaged areas repaired or replaced.
You’ll also want to take a look at your sidewalks and driveway. If there are existing cracks or holes, patch them promptly. As water freezes and expands, it can make existing cracks worse. Not only is this damage unsightly, but it can also introduce hazards for slips and falls. For businesses, these risks are a liability that could come with a high cost in fines and legal fees.
2. Plan De-Icing Strategies
Ice can create major dangers for pedestrians and vehicles in the winter months. While there are several de-icing products available, some are better than others.
While salt can help melt ice, it can damage landscapes and local ecosystems, so it should be used sparingly. Calcium chloride is a safer alternative that won’t harm vegetation. Be sure to have some on hand so you can apply it to walkways, driveways, and parking lots prior to ice storms.
3. Establish a Snow Removal Plan
Snow is another serious hazard home and business owners must contend with. Prompt snow removal can help keep businesses operational and will ensure homeowners can come and go as they need. While you may be able to eliminate small amounts of snow from your property using a shovel or snow blower, major storms call for snow plowing.
Residents with large driveways and businesses should have a designated team for snow plowing contracted well before the first winter storms approach. Since snow can pile up quickly, it can also become hazardous fast.
From stuck vehicles to inaccessibility, having a snow-filled driveway, sidewalk, or parking lot can be a major safety hazard. Snow plowing teams get out to remove snow promptly after storms stop and will relocate piles to areas on your property where they’re least likely to cause safety risks or visibility issues.
If you’re seeking a trusted team to provide snow plowing services this winter, turn to Hillside Landscaping. Serving Anchorage, AK, these professionals have been trusted for snow removal for 25 years. Find out more about their services online or request an estimate by calling 907-522-4457.
