Snow removal is defined as the action of removing snow. Snow removal is a must during winter when snow accumulates on specific structures or obstructs traffic. But snow removal is also required in other circumstances as prevention against hazards. This article will help you understand the content and the stakes of the snow removal service.
What Is the Snow Removal Service?
The snow removal service consists of clearing snow from a given location. The snow removal service includes earthworks, collection, blowing, and snow transportation. On the one hand, for the various constructions (roofs, balconies) and private accesses, snow removal is the owner’s responsibility, who can call upon a subcontractor for a commercial snow removal service. On the other hand, public roads, public places, and sidewalks are taken care of by the road services (municipal, departmental and national).
What Are the Different Methods of Snow Removal?
Snow removal is done either manually or mechanically. On the one hand, manual snow removal is done with shovels and sleds. It consists of pushing or lifting a large quantity of snow (about 5 kg per lift), for small-scale snow accumulations, thus requiring a good physical condition of the plow operator.
On the other hand, mechanical snow removal is done with a machine. It is intended for large-scale snow accumulations. The device’s size varies according to the person or entity that intervenes. For an individual, a snowblower is sufficient. For an individual, a snowblower is adequate, while various equipment and materials are required for a company providing snow removal services.
What Equipment and Materials Are Needed for Snow Removal?
The equipment used consists of specialized vehicles or dump truck chassis made of corrosion-resistant materials (steel or fiberglass), wheel reinforcements, a light bar, additional headlights, snow tires or mud tires and retro-reflectors. Then, by optional equipment such as:
- De-icers (spraying heated de-icing fluid on icy surfaces).
- The front-end loader (lifting a large amount of snow for narrow areas).
- The snowplow (used to clear snow from roads).
- The sanding truck (used to spread granular chippings).
- The snow groomer (which smoothes and compacts snow instead of eradicating it).
- The snow melter (a vehicle in its own right, used to melt the snow with a powerful burner).
As for the materials used, there are the chemical products (rock salt, magnesium chloride), which melt the snow at low temperature during the sanding operations. Secondly, granular or liquid grit (sand or gravel) that melts ice.
What Are the Advantages?
First, snow removal considerably reduces the number of accidents and insurance claims on public roads. It also saves you money in terms of fuel consumption due to better tire traction.
Secondly, snow removal relieves various constructions of enormous excess weight and prevents collapse, i.e., ensures their viability.
Thirdly, it ensures the safety of people and property located near a snow block.
What Are the Disadvantages?
The first disadvantage of the snow removal service is that it is expensive to carry out.
The second disadvantage is that snow removal is sometimes a dangerous operation, requiring complex maneuvers that only professionals can perform. For example, snow removal from a roof is quite difficult because it requires the installation of guardrails around the roof and the wearing of personal protective equipment by the workers involved.
1 Comment
It’s interesting to know that melting snow with a burner is also one way to conduct snow removal services. I’d like to know more about how to find snow removal services because I plan to start looking for ways to make my home a lot more hospitable during the winter. Some of my relatives plan to stay with my for a few days during the holidays so I will need to prepare properly.