If you’re responsible for managing a commercial property in a region that experiences winter weather, the snow and ice management season is on your doorstep. As commercial landscape management experts, U.S. Lawns knows how important it is for our clients to continue business as usual, no matter the weather conditions.
Our experienced grounds care professionals have the discipline, equipment and capabilities to perform the winter weather services necessary to keep your grounds accessible. We even start planning with you months ahead of time, so when a winter storm is eminent, we’re ready and you won’t have to give it a second thought.
A Winter Weather Preparedness Plan Is Critical
Addressing treacherous winter conditions goes a lot more smoothly when you have a winter weather preparedness plan in place. There are things you can do to mitigate risk, protect property, employees, visitors and tenants alike, and make your job a lot less stressful when the snow starts to fall.
First and foremost, choose a landscape management partner who can handle the job through all the seasons. Then make sure you’ve contracted for snow and ice management services early on to ensure you’re on the schedule, which will prevent service delays.
Additionally, by contracting early for snow and ice management services you’re giving your landscape management partner the opportunity to become familiar with the lay of the land. This is critical for accurately safeguarding hardscape and softscape elements against damage when a fresh blanket of snow conceals important features.
Think Slip Prevention
Beyond securing professional snow and ice management services, there are steps every property manager should include as part of a winter weather preparedness plan to prevent people from slipping and falling on wet or icy surfaces.
- Install warning signs
- Place weatherproof mats in entryways and on surfaces that may become hazardous when wet
- Keep a snow shovel and ice melt on hand
- Make sure parking lots, driveways and sidewalks are all well lighted
- Ensure proper drainage is in place to prevent unnecessary ice buildup in key areas
- Consider investing in an insurance policy to help mitigate the potential impact of a major winter storm
Be Certain Your Snow And Ice Contract Covers Everything
There are a number of important services that should be included in your snow and ice management contract:
- Snow plowing driveways, streets and parking lots
- Shoveling snow from sidewalks, common areas, outdoor stairs, and outside the entryways
- Application of ice prevention treatments to surfaces, which could include brine, salt, sand, or gravel, depending upon the temperature and type of expected precipitation
- Weather monitoring, to ensure your snow and ice management partner is staying on top of things
- 24/7, 365-day response
Know Your Professional Snow And Ice Management Contract Options.
There are also different contract options offered by most snow and ice removal contractors, so you will need to decide which will work best for your company:
Per Event: Clients pay for services per storm event, at a rate based on the total amount of accumulation.
Per Service: This option will bill each time plowing / shoveling / treatment application services are performed.
Per Season: With this option, there is a fixed cost for snow and ice management services that is paid throughout the season. This is the preferred option for large companies budgeting for the year ahead.
If you’d like to learn more, contact your local U.S. Lawns today. We’ll help you design a snow and ice management plan that works best for your commercial property and your budget. Because even in the wintertime, your turf is still our lawn.