Common Myths About Snow Removal Near Me in North Carolina
Let’s face it: on a snowy day, most of us either want to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa by the fire or enjoy the chilly weather by building a snowman, going skiing, or making a snow fort with the kids. Very few people want to deal with shoveling or plowing. So, give yourself the gift of snow removal near me! By hiring us to take care of this work for you as part of your outdoor maintenance, you can enjoy your snow day however you want instead of dealing with cold, back-breaking work.
First, a Few Snow Removal Myths
Anyone can grab a shovel and remove snow, right? Well, yes, but unfortunately, some common myths make this job much harder than it needs to be. Without proper snow removal, you could even be putting your property and personal safety at risk. Here are a few common myths. We need to set the record straight.
Chemical De-icers and Salt are All I Need to Combat Snow… Myth!
The de-icing products you can purchase at your local home improvement store are just a start. They can work wonders at preventing ice on steps and short walkways. However, they don’t actively melt large quantities of snow effectively. They are meant to loosen the snow and ice from surfaces so you can remove it more easily.
In other words, you still have to shovel. So if you are trying to avoid snow shoveling, de-icing products will only get you so far.
Additionally, these products are not always great for the environment. Unfortunately, you are introducing chemicals to your property, which can kill plants and animals. It can also be dangerous to keep around the house if you have small pets and children. Always use these products in small quantities as spot-treatment for the areas that need it most.
I Can Easily Remove Snow with Hot Water…Myth!
Boil a big pot of hot water and gently pour it on the snow. It will melt away. However, this method of snow removal, despite being better for the environment, is extremely hazardous.
Once the hot water has melted, it will inevitably freeze. Water actually looses heat and freezes quite quickly. You might not have a snow problem anymore, but you’ll have an ice problem which is even worse.
The better option is to shovel or plow the snow to the side, so it naturally melts and drains away. This is where our snow removal service comes in. We’ll remove the snow properly and use de-icers to spot-treat problem areas. This allows you to avoid issues with ice.
Snow Shoveling is Great Exercise, so I Should Do It Myself… Myth!
This one is half true. Snow shoveling can be good exercise for some people. However, this is also a task that can be risky for many people.
If you aren’t used to doing cardio, snow removal without a snow plot or snow blower can be extremely strenuous. Most doctors do not recommend jumping into a challenging exercise session if you aren’t used to it. On top of that, shoveling snow is an awkward task, since you are bending and moving in ways that most people don’t bend and move on a daily basis. It is easy to pull or strain muscles.
Don’t forget, you are doing this in less than optimal conditions. You have to contend with cold temperatures and an icy ground.
If you do want to use snow shoveling as a form of exercise, we highly recommend speaking to a doctor first. Make sure you have the right clothing, shoes, and shovel. Also, it sees like overkill, but you should stretch and warm up first, especially if you don’t typically exercise every day. For many people, hiring snow removers is the better option.
I Should Wait Until It is Done Snowing to Shovel… Myth!
Optimally, you will work on removing snow as it happens. This prevents the snow and ice from freezing to the ground, which can make it even harder to remove.
Even if you get a day off from work, most of us unfortunately cannot spend all day outside removing snow as it falls. Instead, leave it to the experts. We’ll use snow removal equipment that makes the job much easier, including snow plows, snow blowers, and professional-grade snow shovels.
It’s Not Important to Shovel or Plow, Because It Will Melt Soon Anyway… Myth!
Here in North Carolina, snow and ice usually don’t hang around too long. Our company spends a lot more time providing lawn care than removing snow! That said, not removing snow can have grave consequences.
In most cities and counties, you have to remove snow if you have a sidewalk in front of your house. If you don’t, you could get a fine from the city. These fines can be very steep and sometimes are issued every single day. Commercial landlords might also issue fines if you don’t remove snow from your business property.
Additionally, if you don’t shovel, you could void your business or homeowner’s insurance policy. These policies protect you if someone is injured on your property, including walking on the sidewalk in front of your home or business. However, the policy might not cover you if you are found negligent. In other words, if you don’t remove the snow in a timely manner, you could face a financially devastating lawsuit.
Why a Snow Removal Contract Makes Sense
We don’t live in a location where it snows every day or even every week during the winter. So, you might be tempted to simply call someone to assist you with snow removal when you need it. In other words, you don’t think about a snow removal plan until your driveway or parking lot is covered with snow.
The better option is to have a snow removal contract. At Landscape Solutions & Design Inc., we provide annual contracts so you never have to worry about clearing your sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. We take the stress out of your winter.
After all, if you wait until the day it is snowing to hire a snow removal company, you might have a hard time finding someone for the job. Like many companies, we are busy taking care of our contract clients first whenever there is a big snow storm. By signing a contact, you’ll be our top priority! Additionally, a contract allows you to know exactly how much your winter outdoor care will cost.
In short, it just makes sense to have a contract. If you don’t, you can still give us a call! We do our best to squeeze in as many new clients as possible, even when the snow is already falling.
Snow Removal Near Me for Businesses and Homeowner’s Associations
We love working one-on-one with homeowners to provide snow removal as well as lawn care around the year. However, we also work with businesses and homeowner’s associations to remove snow in a timely manner. Here’s why you should hire Landscape Solutions & Design Inc. for all your snow plowing and shoveling needs:
- We get the job done quickly. You don’t have to worry about snow and ice building up and putting your customers or homeowners at risk.
- Our snow removal equipment is professional-level quality to remove the snow effectively. With small shovels and blowers, some snow and ice could get left behind. We make sure that doesn’t happen. Our job isn’t done until the path is completely clear.
- We can work your snow removal into a larger annual contract that includes lawn care as well as landscaping options. This helps you save money and gives you peace of mind.
- As part of our snow plowing service, we’ll use de-icing products on problem areas, which can protect your customers or residents from slipping.
- By having snow removed quickly and efficiently from your walkways, you can stay ADA compliant. Regulations regarding ADA building access vary from location to location, but snow and ice removal are important to support your disabled customers or residents.
If you’re interested in commercial snow removal, click here to learn more.
What Should You Do to Prepare for Snow?
When you hire our team for snow removal, you have very little work to do even when a major snow storm is on the horizon. That said, here are a few things you can do to make the snow removal operation as fast as possible and prevent and snow or ice damage to your property:
- Move outdoor furniture and decorations inside if you can. Winter weather can take a toll on outdoor pieces, and our plow trucks can more easily move snow if there aren’t obstacles.
- Add salt or other de-icing chemicals to areas that are most problematic. In advance of any snow accumulation, adding these products helps snow and ice from sticking to the ground. We recommend salting your entryways and any stairs you have for faster snow removal.
- Have a plan in place for which areas you want to clear. You should be able to navigate your property well, but you also might not need to shovel every path or plow an entire parking lot. Clear the snow strategically.
- Think about where the snow should be piled, especially if you are clearing large hardscape areas.
And of course, make sure your snow removal contract is ready to go, so you can rest assured that we’ll be there to clear your property this winter season whenever you need it.
Other Winter Landscaping Tasks
In addition to snow removal, we can assist with other winter landscaping tasks you have. Our team has experience with helping both residential and commercial property owners. During the winter, there isn’t as much outdoor work to be done. That said, you can set yourself up for a great spring and summer if you do some of the work now.
First, we can help you clear any dead brush or trees. Sometimes, it can be hard to know which plants are actually dead and which have just lost their leaves for the winter. Our team has experience with identification so we only remove what actually needs to be removed. We can also clean up any dead leaves that weren’t cleared during the fall months.
This is the best time of the year to prune certain plants as well. As a property owner, you might only think about pruning when plants are lush and full, even becoming a bit overgrown. However, pruning in the winter is the best for the health of the plant in many cases. This allows the plant to flower and grow in the spring like normal. We can look at your plants and bushes to determine if now is the best time to prune them.
Finally, make sure your annual landscape maintenance package is up to date and ready to go for the spring. During the spring and summer, our landscape teams take on as many new clients as possible, but we do of course have limited spots available. Make sure you’re on our list to take care of all your outdoor maintenance needs. Click the “request a quote” button above to get started.