How Freezing Rain Changes Your Snow Removal Plan

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Freezing rain throws a wrench into a normal snow removal plan because it does not behave like snow at all. It falls as liquid and freezes on contact, coating driveways, walkways, and roads in a layer of clear ice that is far more dangerous than fresh snow.

Plowing does nothing against a sheet of ice, so freezing rain calls for a completely different response than a snowfall does. Salt and other de-icers become the primary tool, and timing matters more than usual. Applying a pre-treatment before the freezing rain starts can stop the ice from bonding to the pavement in the first place, which makes the cleanup afterward much easier.

Once ice has already formed, mechanical removal is far riskier. Chipping at bonded ice can damage concrete or asphalt, so most professional crews focus on melting it with the right product rather than trying to scrape it off. Ice melt performance also drops off at very low temperatures, so the specific product used has to match how cold it actually is outside, not just whether there is ice present.

Freezing rain events in the London area often arrive in that narrow temperature band right around zero, and conditions can flip between rain, freezing rain, and snow within the same storm. That means a plan built for one type of precipitation can be outdated within a few hours, and crews need to be ready to adjust mid-storm.

Why freezing rain is more dangerous than snow

A centimetre of snow gives your boots something to grip. A millimetre of clear ice gives you nothing. Freezing rain often leaves a glaze that looks like wet pavement, which is why so many slips happen on driveways and front steps the morning after a storm. Steps, ramps and sloped driveways are the worst spots because gravity works against you on top of the ice.

What actually works against ice

Rock salt works well in the temperature range where most freezing rain falls, close to zero. As it gets colder, salt slows down and blends or calcium-based products do more of the work. Spreading a thin, even layer is better than dumping piles in one spot, and reapplying after a refreeze overnight is often what keeps a surface safe through the next morning.

On concrete less than a year old, and on some pavers, heavy salt can cause surface damage, so a gentler product is worth considering. If you have pets, a pet-safe de-icer is easier on paws than rock salt.

What homeowners can do before a freezing rain warning

Clear any loose snow off the driveway and walkways before the rain starts so ice forms on bare pavement, not on top of slush. Keep a bag of ice melt by the door for the front steps, and park so a crew can reach the full driveway. If you rely on a salting service, it helps to know whether freezing rain and refreeze visits are part of the plan.

Does a snow removal plan cover freezing rain?

Plowing alone does not. Freezing rain is handled with salt, so it depends on whether salting is part of your plan. With Thames Valley Snow, seasonal salting is a $175 add-on and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits.

Should I chip ice off my driveway?

Usually not. Chipping bonded ice can damage concrete and asphalt. Melting it with the right product, then clearing the slush, is safer for the surface.

What's included with Thames Valley Snow, and what's extra

Every seasonal plan includes automatic service whenever 5 cm falls (you never need to call), driveway clearing edge to edge including the City plow ridge at the end, and a timestamped photo after every visit. A single driveway is $650 + HST for the season, a double is $815, and per-visit service starts at $70.

Optional add-ons (+ HST): seasonal salting including freezing rain and refreeze visits $175, walkway and up to 6 steps $175, City sidewalk frontage $90, pet-safe premium de-icer $120, priority early-morning clearing $125, and a season extension from November 1 to April 15 for $95. Seniors and front-line workers (nurses, firefighters, police, paramedics and teachers) save 5% on any seasonal contract.

Get a fixed price for your property: request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also see all snow removal prices or read about residential snow removal.