Window of Opportunity

“It’s just rain not ice; whew!” I often hear people say. Hours later, these same people are often looking in dismay at their driveway or car park which has turned into a very personal kind of skating rink.

There is a critical window of time in which snow and ice removal companies can work to prevent rain from forming a dangerous layer of ice on surfaces. When rain falls, it is important to take into consideration the weather forecast for the rest of the day.

Many people are unaware that de-icing needs to be done before temperatures drop and the rain that is coating the ground begins the process of turning into ice.

As soon as temperatures hit zero degrees celsius, the opportunity to most effectively de-ice has passed. The solution is to work proactively. As I told CBC News last winter, “...the simple act of applying de-icer before the snow hits will save people a lot of effort and frustration.”

The same principle applies to rain. If your sidewalk is already slick with rain and temperatures are hovering near freezing or are projected to dip below zero, it is important to think ahead."

Here at TBO’s Snow & Ice Removal, we use industry-leading cold weather forecast apps such as the Weather Network & AccuWeather, which is accurate down to the square kilometer to track snow, rain, and temperature patterns. We also refer to generation-old resources, like Old Farmer's Almanac to make sure that we don’t miss the window to make sure your car parks and walkways are safely cleared and salted.

At the end of the day, it is better to over-prepare than to risk missing the window of opportunity to keep everyone safe. As I told CBC News, “A lot of people try to save five bucks by not putting their salt down first...but the liability and the risk from one slip or one day of not getting into work is always more expensive than it might be to put down that first de-icer.”

Looking for someone to watch that window of opportunity for you? Call us today!