Why the backyard needs its own plan
Most winter planning starts at the front of the house: the driveway, the walkway and the front steps. The back of the house gets less attention, but it often has the slipperiest surfaces you own. Wood and composite decks freeze faster than the ground because cold air moves under them. Patio doors drip meltwater onto the step below. And a hot tub path is used at night, in bare feet or sandals, by people who are wet when they come back.
A little planning in November makes the whole season easier.
Looking after the hot tub cover
- Brush heavy snow off the cover after a big storm. Wet snow is heavy, and a cover loaded with it can sag, crack or let water in. Use a soft broom or a plastic shovel, never a metal edge.
- Keep the cover clips or locks fastened. A cover that blows open in a storm loses heat and lets snow and ice into the water.
- Follow your hot tub maker's winter instructions for water care, heating and power. If you plan to shut the tub down for winter, that is a job for the manual or a hot tub technician, because water left in the lines can freeze.
- Keep the area around the power disconnect clear of snow, so you can reach it if you need to.
Making the deck and steps safer
Decks are the most common place people slip in the backyard. A few habits help:
- Clear snow before it is packed down. Fresh snow lifts off easily; snow that has been walked on turns to ice.
- Use a plastic shovel or a push broom on wood and composite boards. Metal blades can gouge the surface.
- Check your decking maker's care guide before using any de-icer. Some products can stain or damage certain boards and finishes. When in doubt, use sand or a traction product for grip instead of melting.
- Keep a clear, narrow path from the patio door to the hot tub, and clear the steps every time, not just the boards.
- Add a good outdoor mat at the door and a handrail on deck stairs if there is not one already.
If you are worried about how much snow a deck can carry, especially an older one, ask a qualified contractor to look at it. These are general tips, and a contractor is the right person to judge a structure.
The patio door and threshold
Sliding patio doors have a track that can fill with snow and freeze shut. Brush the track clear after storms and keep snow from piling against the glass. Watch the step just outside the door: water dripping from the roof edge or carried out on wet feet refreezes there overnight. Our guides on why steps get icy before driveways and ice building up on steps overnight explain why that spot is always the first to freeze.
Pets and the backyard
If your dog uses the backyard, the deck stairs and the path to the lawn get heavy use. Paws pick up de-icer, so choose products with care. Our guide to ice melt products that are safer for pets and plants covers the options, and preparing outdoor pet areas has more ideas for the yard.
Keep snow piles away from the back of the house
When the driveway and side paths are cleared, the snow has to go somewhere. Make sure it does not end up against the house, on top of a gas meter or furnace vent, or blocking the side gate you use to reach the backyard. See keeping furnace vents and gas meters clear of snow. If the side gate route matters to you, mention it when you ask for a quote so it can be noted and priced.
How a seasonal plan helps
The backyard is easier to look after when the front of the house is already taken care of. A seasonal snow removal plan clears your driveway automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. In long storms we come back for return visits, the City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared, and you get a timestamped photo after every visit.
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
- Season extension from November 1 to April 15: add $95
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 seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, are registered with WSIB and are LPMA members.
Get a quote
Every quote is measured from City of London maps, and residential quotes come back within 1 business day. Ask for a free quote or call or text (548) 639-2069.
Want it handled for you?
Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
Get my free quote