Top 7 Mistakes Businesses Make with Snow and Ice Management
Proper winter care protects staff, customers, and property. Yet many organizations repeat the same errors each season, leading to hazards and extra costs.
Winter brings unique challenges that demand more than ad hoc shovelling. A solid plan, the right gear and trained personnel turn a reactive chore into a seamless operation. This guide walks through each mistake in detail and shows you how to avoid them.
Related Article: How Snow Accumulation Affects Your Building’s Structure Over Time?
Mistake 1: Underestimating Snow Accumulation
Every centimetre counts. A light dusting today can become a metre of packed snow by evening if temperatures stay low and ploughs don’t roll.
- No clear action threshold
- Without a set trigger (e.g., 2 cm of snowfall), teams wait too long.
- Delays let snow compact, increasing slip risks.
- Without a set trigger (e.g., 2 cm of snowfall), teams wait too long.
- Poor monitoring
- Relying on a single weather source can leave you unprepared.
- Failing to assign staff to check multiple entry points leads to overlooked spots.
- Relying on a single weather source can leave you unprepared.
How to fix it:
- Establish a clear snowfall threshold for action.
- Use at least two weather services or a professional local forecast.
- Assign staff to check entrances, stairs and parking lots at regular intervals.
By treating snowfall as cumulative, you clear fresh layers before they bond under traffic. That reduces manual labour and lowers the chance of liability claims.
Related Article: How to Stop Ice Build Up in Eavestrough
Mistake 2: Ignoring Pre-emptive Ice Control
Treating ice after it forms demands heavy chiselling, more salt and extra labour. Pre-treating surfaces prevents ice bonding and eases removal.
- Reactive vs Proactive
- Reactive treatment only after ice forms leads to thicker layers.
- Proactive brine or calcium chloride applications work at lower temperatures.
- Reactive treatment only after ice forms leads to thicker layers.
- Cost and environmental impact
- Late salt use increases material costs and damages concrete.
- Pre-treating reduces salt volume by up to 50 per cent.
- Late salt use increases material costs and damages concrete.
Best practices:
- Create an anti-ice schedule based on nightly temperature forecasts.
- Equip staff with portable sprayers or hire a contractor for brine application.
- Track treatment times and rates in a logbook or spreadsheet.
Preventing ice formation lowers labour costs and extends the life of paved surfaces. It also cuts down on runoff that harms vegetation and local waterways.
Related Article: How to Winterize a Swimming Pool
Mistake 3: Relying on Inadequate Equipment
Using home-grade tools on commercial properties slows work and risks damage.
- Incorrect tool selection
- Light snow brushes clog under wet snow.
- Small electric blowers stall on heavy drifts.
- Light snow brushes clog under wet snow.
- Forced overuse
- Operators push machines beyond capacity, causing breakdowns.
- Damaged plough blades gouge asphalt or concrete.
- Operators push machines beyond capacity, causing breakdowns.
Equipment upgrade checklist:
- Ploughs: Choose industrial-strength models sized to lot dimensions.
- Spreaders: Opt for adjustable salt spreaders for precise application.
- Snow blowers: Select two-stage models for wet or compacted snow.
- Power scrapers: Use heated scrapers for thick ice layers.
Maintenance tips:
- Conduct monthly inspections of belts, blades and hydraulics.
- Keep spare parts (e.g. belts, blades and filters) on hand.
- Schedule professional servicing before peak winter.
Proper tools and maintenance ensure faster clearing, fewer repairs and safer surfaces year after year.
Mistake 4: Skipping Employee Training
Well-guided staff make all the difference. Untrained teams often create hazards while trying to clear snow.
- Improper shovelling techniques
- Bending at the back instead of the knees causes injuries.
- Piling snow into walkways creates new slip zones.
- Bending at the back instead of the knees causes injuries.
- Equipment misuse
- Running machinery on gravel or soft ground damages both the vehicle and the surface.
- Incorrect salt spreader settings result in uneven coverage.
- Running machinery on gravel or soft ground damages both the vehicle and the surface.
Training essentials:
- Safe lifting and shovelling
- Demonstrate correct posture and weight limits.
- Demonstrate correct posture and weight limits.
- Equipment operation
- Provide hands-on sessions for each machine.
- Provide hands-on sessions for each machine.
- Ice-treatment protocols
- Show the difference between de-icing and anti-icing methods.
- Show the difference between de-icing and anti-icing methods.
Use simple checklists for each task and refresh training mid-season to reinforce best practices.
Engaged, knowledgeable staff clear faster, reduce injuries and limit material waste.
Related Article: Preventing Ice Build-Up: Effective Strategies for Commercial Properties
Mistake 5: Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Winter issues often start with autumn oversights. Clogged gutters and poorly graded drains can turn melting snow into hidden ice hazards.
- Blocked gutters and downspouts
- Leaf and debris buildup causes water to overflow and freeze at roof edges.
- Icicles pose a falling hazard to passersby.
- Leaf and debris buildup causes water to overflow and freeze at roof edges.
- Poor drainage grading
- Water pools near entrances and freezes at night.
- Cracks in pavement hold water, creating micro-ice patches.
- Water pools near entrances and freezes at night.
Pre-winter checklist:
- Clean gutters, downspouts and roof valleys by mid-October.
- Grade the landscape to divert water away from doorways and walkways.
- Seal cracks in pavement and repair uneven surfaces.
Routine upkeep ensures meltwater drains properly and prevents ice dams, leaks and trip hazards.
Mistake 6: Overlooking Liability and Compliance
Municipal bylaws often mandate snow removal timelines and acceptable chemicals. Ignoring these rules risks fines and legal claims.
- Missed deadlines
- Cities may require clearing sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall.
- Failing to meet deadlines leads to escalating penalties.
- Cities may require clearing sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall.
- Insurance gaps
- General liability may not cover slip-and-fall claims if you can’t show due diligence.
- Some policies require documentation of regular maintenance and treatment.
- General liability may not cover slip-and-fall claims if you can’t show due diligence.
Documentation strategy:
- Maintain a log of clearing times, dates and responsible staff or contractors.
- Record materials used, including type, amount and application rate.
- Photograph cleared areas and note weather conditions.
Consult your insurer and legal advisor to verify coverage and procedural requirements. Clear records demonstrate your commitment to safety and shield you from unwarranted claims.
Related Article: How Snow Removal Affects Your Insurance Policy
Mistake 7: Failing to Monitor Weather Trends
Winter weather changes rapidly. A plan based on last week’s data won’t protect you today.
- Single-source forecasting
- One meteorologist’s view can miss sudden shifts.
- Public apps often lag behind professional feeds.
- One meteorologist’s view can miss sudden shifts.
- Lack of alerts
- Without real-time notifications, teams respond too late.
- Manual checks distract from other priorities.
- Without real-time notifications, teams respond too late.
Smart monitoring tips:
- Subscribe to a hyper-local professional weather service with mobile alerts.
- Integrate alerts into your operations dashboard or messaging platform.
- Set automated triggers for treatment when temperatures drop below specified thresholds.
Proactive monitoring lets you adapt treatments and clearings to evolving conditions, avoiding repeated trips and last-minute rushes.
Key Steps for a Safer Winter Season
Taking winter in stride means blending prevention, rapid response and compliance. Here’s how to bring it all together:
- Define clear thresholds for snow depth and temperature triggers.
- Pre-treat surfaces before ice forms, cutting down on salt use.
- Invest in industrial-grade equipment and keep it well-maintained.
- Train staff thoroughly and refresh skills during the season.
- Perform autumn maintenance on gutters, drains and pavement.
- Document every action to satisfy bylaws and insurance requirements.
- Monitor real-time weather data and set automated alerts.
By addressing these seven mistakes, you reduce accidents, lower costs, and protect your reputation. A robust winter plan makes your property safer and lets your team focus on running the business rather than chasing snow. Implement these steps now to move from winter survival to winter readiness.
Ready to winterize your property and avoid costly mishaps? Contact our team today for custom snow removal and ice maintenance, and keep your business safe all season long.