FAQs

Home » FAQs
What is the difference between 1-inch, 2-inch, and zero-tolerance triggers?

A trigger depth is the accumulation threshold that automatically dispatches crews to your property. A 1-inch or 2-inch trigger means plowing begins once snow reaches that depth. Zero-tolerance properties require continuous monitoring and clearing to keep surfaces entirely free of snow and ice at all times, regardless of accumulation depth—ideal for high-traffic retail centers, hospitals, and critical industrial sites.

How does pretreatment work, and why is it necessary?

Pretreatment involves applying liquid anti-icing agents or solid deicers before a storm begins. This prevents snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, making mechanical plowing faster and preventing hazardous hardpack layer formation.

How do you handle black ice and refreeze risks?

Black ice forms when moisture freezes rapidly on cold pavement, often unnoticed. We track surface pavement temperatures rather than just air temperatures to determine chemical application types. Routine patrols monitor high-risk areas like shaded drive lanes, drainage paths, and building entrances to treat refreeze before morning traffic arrives.

What happens when snow storage capacity runs out during multi-day storms?

During heavy or prolonged winter storms, on-site snow piles can block parking spaces, drain inlets, or sightlines. In these cases, snow relocation equipment moves piles to designated staging zones, or heavy loaders haul accumulated snow off-site entirely.

How are liability documentation and service logs managed?

To protect property managers against slip-and-fall claims, all operations are logged in real-time. Records track exact arrival and departure times, dedicated equipment deployed, ambient and pavement temperatures, weather conditions, service zones completed, and exact deicer quantities applied. Detailed logs are supported by GPS verification and timestamped photos.