Freezing rain is one of the trickiest winter events for London, Ontario properties, and it calls for a different approach than a typical snowfall.
Snow sits on top of a surface and can be pushed, plowed, or shoveled away in bulk. Freezing rain coats everything in a thin, hard layer of ice that bonds directly to pavement, making it much harder to remove with a plow blade alone.
De-icing becomes the priority during freezing rain events. Salt or other ice melt products need to go down early, sometimes before the rain even starts, to prevent that bonded ice layer from forming in the first place.
Timing also matters more with freezing rain. Crews often need to make multiple passes with de-icer as the storm continues, rather than waiting for it to end the way they might with snow.
At Thames Valley Snow, our seasonal salt service includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, so icy events are covered instead of being treated as a snow-only problem.
Why Plows Cannot Fix Freezing Rain
A plow blade works by getting under loose snow and pushing it. Freezing rain leaves nothing loose to push. The ice is bonded to the pavement, and scraping it hard risks damaging asphalt, pavers or stamped concrete without actually removing much ice. The real tool is a de-icing product that breaks that bond so the surface becomes slush that can be cleared.
That is why ice control is sold separately from plowing. A snow-only contract clears accumulations of 5 cm or more, but a glaze of freezing rain might total less than a centimetre and still be the most dangerous surface of the winter.
Choosing the Right De-Icer
Ordinary rock salt is effective near freezing but works poorly below about -10°C, which is common during London cold snaps that follow an ice storm. Calcium chloride and blended products keep working at lower temperatures. If you have dogs or sensitive plantings near the driveway, a pet-safe de-icer is a better choice; ours is $120 + HST for the season.
Apply less product more often rather than dumping a heavy layer once. Excess salt tracks indoors, damages lawns along the edge, and can be wasted when rain washes it into the drain.
The Refreeze Problem
The ice event is often only half the trouble. Daytime melting, followed by an overnight drop below zero, can turn wet driveways into a sheet of black ice by morning. Refreeze visits matter as much as the storm itself. Our seasonal salt service ($175 + HST) includes freezing rain and refreeze visits for that reason. Keeping drains clear, which we mark before the season, also helps meltwater run off instead of pooling and refreezing.
What Homeowners Can Do Themselves
Keep a pail of de-icer and a scoop by the door, wear traction cleats on steps, and clear downspout discharge away from walkways. For steps and walks, our walkway and steps service starts from $150 + HST.
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.
Freezing Rain FAQ
Is salting included in a seasonal plowing plan?
No. Seasonal salt is an add-on at $175 + HST, and it covers freezing rain and refreeze visits.
Will salt damage my stamped concrete?
Some products are harder on decorative surfaces than others. Ask about pet-safe de-icer if you are concerned.
Get ice covered this winter with a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. Learn more about salting and ice control.
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.
Want it handled for you?
Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
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