Having ice on a residential or commercial property is not only unsafe but can cause serious damage to areas like parking lots and walkways. Commercial property owners can end up with unhappy customers, or worse, find themselves in a sticky legal situation over things like black ice or vehicle damage. Most property owners understand the importance of eliminating ice as soon as possible to prevent such unwelcome events. To keep ice at bay, property owners often consult snow and ice control companies like G. McNeill & Son, who offer tailored ice control using water management.
Ice removal companies such as our own take proactive steps to ensure the safety of a property, often implementing strategies like pre-treatments before a winter event. They also conduct post-snow site inspections and monitoring to guarantee the best service for property owners. Ice removal can be harsh on concrete surfaces, but some companies have opted for gentler chemicals that are less aggressive. McNeill uses a unique liquid de-icing treatment that is eco-friendlier and less corrosive than traditional ice melting substances.
Using chemically-safe but effective treatments ensure not only the well-being of the environment but also workers, customers, and families and their pets. For this reason, it is always best to consult a professional ice removal company rather than undertaking DIY methods for ice control. They follow a strict list of procedures to minimize risk and damage.
Pre-treatment
Pre-treatments involve the use of anti-icing agents to treat pavement before a winter storm. Anti-icing agents can help prevent snow from sinking too deeply into the pores of the pavement and can help reduce the formation of black ice by creating a surface barrier.
There are several pre-treatments to choose from, and each is suitable for a different set of needs and results. Traditional salt brine methods have proved damaging to concrete and even steel, so a newer-age de-icing treatment is a better choice. McNeill uses salt treated with magnesium chloride, making it less corrosive and more effective in colder weather. Using gentler chemicals also helps to protect any surrounding plant-life.
Water Management and Salt for Refreeze
Salt brines work by lowering the freezing point of water, which in turn reduces the melting point of ice. Creating a low melting point means that salt is particularly effective at preventing refreeze in lower temperatures, as water will only freeze at cold temperatures, but will melt more quickly in cold temperatures as well. Preventing refreezing helps reduce damage to concrete that occurs due to repeated refreezing and thawing.
Leaks and flooding can also create complications on properties during winter months. McNeill offers ice control using water management services, including 24-hour emergency water extraction, so if a leak occurs, we will repair it before ice forms. A sheet of ice is a hazard to patrons on any property.
Site Monitoring
As part of their process, McNeill performs routine site checks for each of their clients to monitor and prevent snow and ice buildup. They also offer snow and ice management programs tailored to each property for ongoing ice inspection. Having experts to check-in can help ease the minds of property owners who may not be on the lookout for things like black ice. McNeill provides around the clock service, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure properties are well-maintained.
Post Snow Event Inspections
Snow and ice removal companies generally create detailed response plans upon inspecting a property for the first time. Having a thorough plan allows them to respond swiftly after a snow event with the correct equipment ready to go. Response plans generally include mapping out equipment staging areas, risk areas, and snow and ice locations.
McNeill takes an extra step and closely monitors forecasts so that they can alert their crews and clients to an approaching storm and prepare for the aftermath. While working, their operators are given live weather reports to ensure safety and have access to a call-in center if a storm occurs.
Conducting regular post snow inspections ensure swift ice removal. It also means that property owners are not left to their own devices for any length of time after a storm.
