Creating a Snow and Ice Management Plan

Michigan’s cold, wet winter conditions present unique property management challenges. Our guide will help you implement a reliable solution to keep your employees and customers safe this winter.

Why Commercial Snow and Ice Management Matters

Ice and snow removal is paramount when running a commercial space. The benefits of proper winter conditions management include:

• Reducing liability concerns: Whether you run a hotel or a shopping mall, avoiding potential claims and liabilities is essential. If you don’t maintain your parking lots and other areas, you may be liable for any accidents or injuries on your property. 
• Curb appeal and access: Michigan’s retail market is intense, and you want to ensure your building is as attractive as possible. Better maintenance makes your commercial or industrial real estate more visible and accessible.
• Improved satisfaction: Slippery walkways and parking lots are unappealing and potentially dangerous to both customers and employees. Ice and snow control services will keep your lot well-maintained and improve the experience for anyone working at or visiting your space.

Assessing Your Needs and Risks

A good property management and snow removal plan starts with a thorough site inspection and assessment. Identifying high-risk areas like sidewalks, entrances and parking lots allows you to plan ahead and address each area’s needs before the snow starts falling.

Key steps include:

• Identifying high-risk and high-priority areas: The primary objective is to identify critical or high-traffic areas where maintenance is paramount. Examples include entrances and exits, parking areas and other places where snow control is vital. 
• Determining equipment and personnel needs: After identifying areas needing regular maintenance, create a list of the equipment you think will be necessary — and how many people you’ll need to do the job. It’s good to have general ideas here, even though you may not know exactly what you need. 
• Planning snow storage: It’s important to have a plan for what you’ll do with the eliminated snow and ice. Designate storage areas if you can, preferably off-site.
• Fostering clear communication: Once you have a concrete plan for managing winter conditions, establishing a clear communication path is pivotal. Ensure your maintenance staff and other critical team members have open lines of communication with your chosen commercial snow and ice control experts.

Planning Before the Snowy Season

Managing winter conditions in Michigan’s snow-heavy climate requires consistent monitoring to identify and avoid potential problems and safety hazards. This proactive approach requires attention to detail on multiple fronts.

Monitor weather forecasts from the end of fall and throughout the winter so you can prepare effectively. During the transition between seasons, try to be proactive in your inspections, consistently looking for signs of ice or snow buildup, weather-related structural damage or other hazards. 

Partnering with a commercial snow and ice management team is the best way to keep your property safe and functional. They’ll apply anti-icing solutions, respond to weather conditions proactively and keep your walkways and lots clear.

Selecting a Snow and Ice Removal Partner

After the initial planning phase, you can contract snow management from a professional maintenance provider. It’s best to choose a service provider that will work closely with you throughout the season to provide optimal results. 

The provider should offer clearly defined services that match your unique needs. For instance, if your office building has a large sidewalk, the snow control services you need will include sidewalk salting and snow clearing. If your building has fewer sidewalks but an extensive parking lot, you’ll want to ensure access to parking lot salting and plowing.

To simplify your property management, choose a partner who will serve you year-round. Hiring separate service providers for the cold and warm months multiplies your maintenance requirements. The ideal team will meet your needs in every season. 

Look for a Team With Local Knowledge

One of the main things to consider when choosing a provider is where they’re located. When you choose a local partner, you’ll experience benefits like:

• Local insight: A contractor who lives in the region they serve will have unique insight into the climate.
• Quick responses: A local partner can respond promptly to your snow removal and deicing needs.
• Trustworthy reviews: When you choose a local company, you can likely ask friends and trusted acquaintances for their reviews.

Choose a Team With the Right Tools and Resources

Prompt deicing and snow control are essential for a successful winter season. Partnering with a professional landscaping provider gives you access to a comprehensive range of tools and services. 

Some of the most common options include ice removal solutions like salt, along with snowplows, shovels and snow blowers. 

Consider the Benefits of Different Solutions

It’s worth considering that not all snow and ice management techniques have the same advantages.

Both independent contractors and large enterprises have been using rock salt as a deicing agent for decades, and it remains a cost-effective solution. 

Brine is a commonly used alternative that uses significantly less salt to achieve the same result. It offers similar cost-effectiveness and is easy to apply, but it can have detrimental effects on concrete.

One popular alternative to traditional deicing agents is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). It offers an environmental benefit, as it attracts less wildlife, thereby reducing vehicle-related animal deaths. However, it can be less cost-effective.

Discuss the options with your preferred partner to ensure the best results for your property and application.

Monitoring Your Approach Continuously

Once implemented, your snow removal and property management plan will need ongoing evaluation. Time will tell which aspects of the plan are working and whether any need adjustments. 

For example, let’s say you have permission to move snow to the empty lot next to yours. After a few weeks of doing so, you find that the snow blows back onto your entryway when it’s windy. If you keep this approach, you’ll be working twice as hard — you’ll have to remove new snowfall and wind-blown snow at the same time.

An experienced industrial property snow removal team can help you fine-tune the process until it serves your real estate or lot. Clear communication is an essential part of this ongoing evaluation, ensuring everyone is in sync and can complete their roles effectively. 

Plan Ahead for Commercial Snow and Ice Management 

Keep your commercial landscape functional, safe and attractive with snow control services from DJ’s Landscape Management. We offer premium four-season landscaping, from preparing your property for winter safety to ensuring your lawn and shrubs look neat in the spring.

When you work with us, we’ll assign a dedicated account manager to get to know your needs. Get in touch with our team to start discussing your site management and snow removal plan.