Clearing and Salting Accessible Ramps at Commercial Entrances

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Why ramps are often the last thing cleared

On many commercial sites, the plow does the lot, someone shovels the front steps and the ramp gets whatever time is left. That is backwards. People who use the ramp, whether they use a wheelchair, a walker or a stroller, or are pulling a cart, are the people least able to get past snow or ice. A single ridge left by a plow at the bottom of a ramp can make the entrance unusable.

Ontario has accessibility standards that apply to many organizations, including requirements around maintaining accessible elements of public spaces. Check what applies to your organization; this article is general guidance, not legal advice.

The full accessible route, not just the ramp

An accessible entrance is only as good as the route leading to it. When planning winter service, include:

• Accessible parking spaces and the striped access aisle beside each one
• Curb cuts or curb ramps between the lot and the sidewalk
• The sidewalk from the curb cut to the building
• The ramp itself, including the top and bottom landings
• Handrails, which should be free of snow and ice
• Automatic door buttons, which should be reachable and not blocked by a pile

Hand-clear, then salt

Ramps should be cleared by hand on every visit. Plows and large machines cannot work safely on a ramp and tend to leave a ridge where they stop. Clear the full width down to the surface where possible, then apply enough de-icer to prevent refreeze. Sloped surfaces are more dangerous than flat ones when icy, so ramps should get extra attention after freezing rain or overnight thaws.

Keep piles away

The worst problems with ramps are often caused by piling. Snow pushed into an access aisle or next to a curb cut blocks the route completely, even if the ramp itself was cleared. Make sure your contractor knows which spaces and aisles are accessible, and mark them with stakes before the snow covers the paint. Piles should also be kept uphill or away from ramps so melt does not run down the slope and freeze.

Check it after the crew leaves

A quick look at the ramp by staff during the day can catch problems between visits, such as drifting snow or an icy patch from a dripping roof. Keep a small bucket of ice melt near the door for touch-ups. A timestamped photo log from your contractor shows the condition of the ramp after each visit, which is helpful for both day-to-day management and any later questions.

Build it into your service agreement

Your written contract should name the ramps and accessible route as priority areas, cleared before opening. If you manage several buildings, list each one. Our churches and clinics page and commercial page explain how we handle entrances and ramps.

It also helps to think about the people who use your ramp most. A clinic may have patients using walkers every hour. A church may have older members arriving together on Sunday morning. A plaza may have parents pushing strollers and delivery drivers with hand trucks. Tell your contractor who relies on the ramp and when, so the crew understands why it matters and can schedule its route to have the ramp finished before those visitors arrive, rather than at the end of the visit.

Get a written quote for your site

At Thames Valley Snow, sidewalks, entrances and ramps are hand-cleared and salted on every commercial visit, before opening. Request a measured price through our quote form, or call or text (548) 888-8702. A written quote usually comes back within 2 business days.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.