Why busy roads bring more snow to your driveway
Main roads and bus routes are usually cleared early and often in a storm, because so many people depend on them. That is good news for getting to work, but each pass of the City plow pushes a ridge of road snow, called the windrow, across the end of your driveway.
- The windrow can come back after your driveway has already been cleared, especially in a long storm.
- Road snow is heavy, wet and mixed with salt and slush, and it sets hard once it freezes.
- Snowbanks along a busy road tend to grow taller over the winter, because there is more road snow to push aside.
Our guide what is a City windrow and who clears it? explains how windrows form and why they are left at the end of driveways.
Backing out safely
The biggest winter risk on a busy road is not the snow on your driveway. It is pulling out when you cannot see. Tall snowbanks on either side of the driveway can hide cars, cyclists and people on the sidewalk.
- Keep the snow at the end of the driveway low, so you can see both ways before your car reaches the sidewalk.
- Pile snow further up the driveway or on the lawn instead of right beside the road.
- Clear the full width of the driveway entrance, not just a car-wide track, so you have room to turn.
- Clear every window and mirror before you move, and back out slowly. If your driveway is long enough, backing in when it is safe can make leaving easier on a stormy morning.
Corner lots face similar sightline problems. See corner lot homeowners and extra snow challenges.
Salt spray, slush and your yard
Traffic on a busy road throws salty slush onto the boulevard, the edge of the lawn and anything close to the curb.
- Protect shrubs near the road with burlap or a simple screen before the first storm.
- Expect some salt damage on the boulevard grass, and plan to rake and reseed in spring. Our guide how to protect your lawn and garden beds has more tips.
- Keep a mat inside the door, because slush from the sidewalk ends up on boots and floors. See keeping salt and slush out of your house.
Mailboxes, bins and the curb
- A mailbox or post near the road takes a beating from the windrow and from road snow thrown by the plow. Our guide how to prevent plow damage to mailboxes and fences covers what helps.
- On collection day, set garbage and recycling bins where they will not be buried or knocked over by the plow. See keeping your garbage and recycling bins accessible.
- Never push driveway snow back onto the road. Keep it on your own property.
The sidewalk in front of your home
On busy roads, the sidewalk is often used by people walking to bus stops. Check the City of London’s website to see which sidewalks the City clears and what it expects from residents. Our guide what is London’s sidewalk snow clearing bylaw? is a good starting point. If you want the city sidewalk in front of your home cleared with your driveway, sidewalk clearing is a $90 add-on.
A quick checklist for busy-road homes
- Driveway edges marked so they are easy to find under the snow.
- Snow piles kept low near the road for clear sightlines.
- Shrubs near the curb wrapped before December.
- Bins and mailbox protected from the windrow.
- A plan for the windrow on weekday mornings, when you need to leave on time.
How a seasonal plan helps
A seasonal snow removal plan clears your driveway automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. The City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared, and in long storms we come back for return visits. You get a timestamped photo after every visit, and edges, steps and drains are marked before the season. If you leave early for work, priority early-morning clearing can be added to a seasonal plan.
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.
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