How Do You Prepare Your Property Before First Snowfall?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Before the first snowfall hits London, Ontario, a little property prep can save you time and prevent damage once winter really gets going.

Start by marking driveway and walkway edges with stakes or reflective markers, especially if you have landscaping, sprinkler heads, or a lawn edge that a plow blade could catch. This is one of the most common ways properties get damaged during the season.

Clear away hoses, planters, and any loose yard items that could get buried or damaged, and trim back branches that hang low enough to collect snow weight or block a plow's path.

If you're signing up for a snow removal service, this is also the time to confirm your contract details, gate codes, and any special instructions so the first storm goes smoothly instead of being a scramble.

At Thames Valley Snow, we mark edges, steps and drains on every seasonal property before the season starts, so the operator knows where everything is from the very first storm.

A Pre-Winter Checklist for London Homes

Most of the work happens in a single afternoon in late October or November. Walk the property with a notebook and check the following:

Driveway edges and lawn lines: mark where pavement ends, especially along curved drives and corners where blades tend to clip turf. Steps and landings: note any loose bricks, cracked concrete or wobbly railings, because ice makes them far more dangerous. Drains and downspouts: make sure downspouts do not empty across the driveway or walkway, since that water becomes a sheet of ice overnight. Obstacles: gas meters, low garden walls, decorative boulders, basketball nets and in-ground lighting should all be flagged.

Protecting Decorative Surfaces

Pavers and stamped concrete need a little extra thought. Sealers should be fully cured before cold weather, and any lifted pavers should be reset so a blade does not catch an edge. On 3-car, paver and stamped driveways we use a raised rubber-edge blade near decorative surfaces. If you have a decorative drive, see our page on stamped and paver drives.

It is also worth deciding on ice control now. Rock salt works poorly below about -10°C and can be hard on some surfaces and on pets. A pet-safe de-icer option ($120 + HST) is available if you have dogs or sensitive landscaping.

Setting Up Your Snow Removal Service

Book early. Our seasonal service runs December 1 to March 31, and quotes are prepared from City of London maps and aerial imagery within 1 business day, so you do not need to be home for a site visit. A 30% deposit holds your place and the balance is due before December 1. If you want coverage for an early November or late April storm, the Nov 1 to Apr 15 extension is +$95.

Once you are signed up, clearing is automatic every snowfall of 5 cm or more, with no need to call. You will receive a timestamped photo after every visit, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared as part of the service.

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.

First Snowfall FAQ

Do I need to put out my own stakes?

You are welcome to, but for seasonal customers we mark edges, steps and drains before the season.

What if the first snow comes in November?

Standard service begins December 1. The extension (+$95) covers November 1 to April 15, or you can book per-visit service at $70 to $85 + HST.

Get your property ready with a free quote today, or call or text (548) 888-8702. See how it works for the full process.

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 $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $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.