Best Way to Mark Driveway Edges Before Winter

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Marking your driveway edges before the first snowfall is one of the simplest things a homeowner in London, Ontario can do to prevent plow damage and speed up service all winter.

Once snow covers the ground, plow operators lose the visual cues they'd normally use, like curb lines, grass edges, or pavement color changes, to know exactly where your driveway ends. Reflective driveway markers, sold at most hardware stores, solve this by giving crews a clear, visible boundary even in the dark or during heavy snowfall.

The best time to place markers is in October or early November, well before the first real snow. Space them every few feet along both sides of the driveway, especially at corners, curves, or narrow sections where a plow operator might otherwise guess wrong.

Marking is especially useful for larger properties, shared driveways, or driveways with unusual shapes, since these are the situations where accidental scraping of grass or gardens happens most often.

What to Expect From a Seasonal Plan

Every seasonal customer gets the same basics: service from December 1 to March 31, automatic visits at 5 cm or more, return visits in long storms, the City windrow cleared, and a timestamped photo after each visit. Quotes are prepared from City of London maps and aerial imagery within 1 business day, and we carry $2,000,000 liability coverage, are WSIB registered and are LPMA members.

Choosing the Right Markers

Fibreglass driveway stakes with reflective tape are the most common choice because they flex instead of snapping when bumped. Aim for markers that stand about 120 cm (four feet) tall so they remain visible above snow banks late in the winter. Bright orange or red is easiest to spot; avoid thin wooden dowels, which break and rot. Wooden lath can work as a temporary option, but it rarely lasts a full season.

Installing Markers in Frozen Ground

Place markers before the ground freezes. If you are late, drive a long screwdriver or a piece of rebar into the soil first to make a pilot hole, then insert the stake. Set markers about 15 to 30 cm back from the actual pavement edge, on the lawn side, so a plow blade does not clip them on every pass. Check them after the first few storms and reset any that have leaned over.

The Spots Most Worth Marking

• Both corners where the driveway meets the road, where City windrows pile up
• Curves, narrow sections and the edge beside a steep drop or ditch
• Storm drains, catch basins and downspout outlets
• Low walls, edging stones, garden lights and irrigation heads
• Fire hydrants or utility boxes near the driveway

Walkways, Steps and Decorative Surfaces

Driveways get most of the attention, but walkways deserve markers too, especially where a path curves through a garden or runs beside a raised bed. Mark the bottom and top of any steps so the shovel crew knows where the treads are under deep snow. Paver and stamped driveways need edging and lighting marked clearly, and we use a raised rubber-edge blade near decorative surfaces to protect them.

What Marking Does for Your Service

Clear markers let crews clear the full width quickly and confidently, which matters most on long driveways where snow storage space runs out by February. At Thames Valley Snow, edges, steps and drains are marked before the season on every property we service, so you do not have to remember to do it yourself. Visits are automatic at 5 cm or more, and a timestamped photo after every visit shows how the edges look.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should markers come out?

Leave them until the snow is gone, usually April, then pull them before the first lawn mowing.

How far apart should markers be?

Every 2 to 3 metres on straight runs, closer together on curves and at corners.

Want your property marked and cleared all winter? Get a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. See residential snow removal and how it works.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps from $150 (walk plus up to 6 steps $175), salting $175 (including freezing rain and refreeze visits), priority early-morning clearing $125, pet-safe de-icer $120, a season extension from Nov 1 to Apr 15 for $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.