Hosting Holiday Guests: Snow, Parking and Safe Walkways

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Plan the parking before the snow

A driveway that holds two cars on a normal day can be tight once snow banks build up along the edges. Before your gathering, think about how many cars are coming and where they will go. The more of the driveway that is cleared to its full width, the more room you have.

If guests will park on the street, check the City of London's on-street parking rules before they arrive, including any overnight limits and any restrictions during snow-clearing operations. Rules and permits change, so look at the City's website rather than relying on what was true last year.

Parked cars also affect snow removal. Anything left on the driveway during a visit cannot be cleared underneath. If snow is in the forecast while guests are staying over, ask them to park so the driveway can be cleared around them, or to move their car when you expect a visit. Our guide on where to park during a snowstorm explains why this matters.

Make the walk to the door safe

Holiday guests often include grandparents, young children and people carrying dishes or gifts with both hands. The route from the car to the door is where falls happen. Before guests arrive:

• Clear the walkway and every step to the door, not just a single shovel-width path.
• Salt or de-ice the steps and landing, and check again before guests leave, since meltwater often refreezes after dark.
• Turn on the porch and driveway lights, and make sure any handrail is clear of snow and ice.
• Put a mat and boot tray inside the door so salt and slush stay off the floors.
• If guests bring a dog, consider a pet-safe de-icer on the main path; see ice melt products that are safe for pets and plants.

When it snows on the big day

Snow does not take holidays off. If a storm lands on the day of your gathering, the driveway can fill in again while guests are inside. Keep a shovel by the door for touch-ups around cars, and keep an eye on the steps through the evening. Our guide to what happens if it snows on a weekend or holiday covers how service works on those days.

The City windrow, the ridge of snow left at the end of the driveway by the street plow, is another common surprise. It is heavy, packed snow, and it can block guests from leaving at the end of the night. With a Thames Valley Snow seasonal plan, the City windrow is cleared as part of the visit. Read more about the City windrow.

Visiting family who need extra help

The holidays are also when many people notice that an older parent is finding winter harder to manage. If you are helping a family member, our guides on booking snow removal for an aging parent and seniors snow removal explain what to look for. Seniors save 5% on seasonal plans.

How a seasonal plan helps over the holidays

With a seasonal plan, your driveway is cleared automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. In long storms we come back for return visits, and you get a timestamped photo after every visit, so you can check the driveway is done even if you are away visiting family yourself.

Prices (all plus HST):

• Single or 1.5-car driveway: $650 to $725 for the season
• Double driveway: $815
• 3-car, paver or stamped driveway: $1,050
• Walkway and steps: from $150, or $175 for a walk plus up to 6 steps; sidewalk $90
• Seasonal salt, including freezing rain and refreeze visits: $175
• Pet-safe de-icer: $120
• Priority early-morning clearing: $125

Prefer to pay only when you need it? Per-visit snow removal is $70 to $85 a visit. Seasonal plans take a 30% deposit with the balance before December 1, and front-line workers also save 5%. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, are registered with WSIB and are LPMA members.

Book before the busy season

Every quote is measured from City of London maps and aerial imagery, and residential quotes come back within 1 business day. Ask for a free quote, see residential snow removal, or call or text (548) 888-8702.