Snow Removal Tips for Old East Village Homes

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Older properties, tighter spaces

Many Old East homes were built when a single narrow driveway, or no driveway at all, was normal. Today you may have a mutual driveway shared with a neighbour, a narrow strip beside the house leading to a rear parking spot, or a short front pad. These spaces are tight, and there is rarely an obvious place to put snow.

The key is planning snow storage before the first snowfall. A small front yard can hold a surprising amount of snow if it is spread out rather than piled in one tall heap, but it fills quickly if snow is dumped right at the edge of the driveway.

Rear parking spots reached by a narrow side driveway are a special case. Snow has to be pushed either forward to the street side or back into the yard, and both directions have limits. Tell us which you prefer and where fences, sheds and gates are, so the crew does not block anything you need to open.

Porches and old steps

Old East is full of front porches and wooden or concrete steps. These are charming, but in winter they are often the most dangerous part of the property. Wooden steps can be slick even with a light frost, and older concrete steps may be uneven. Our walkway and steps service starts at $150 and covers the path from the sidewalk or driveway to the front door.

• Check porch railings are solid before the snow arrives.
• Avoid rock salt on old wood if it is unsealed; ask about pet-safe de-icer.
• Point out any loose or uneven steps when you book.
• Keep the porch light working for dark winter evenings.

Mutual driveways need clear rules

Shared driveways are common in older parts of London. When two households share one, it helps to agree up front on who books service and how the cost is split. Tell us the property line when you request a quote so snow goes to the right side and does not end up piled on a neighbour's lawn.

If only one household books service on a shared driveway, the whole width is usually cleared, since the crew cannot clear half a driveway without leaving a ridge down the middle. It is worth having that conversation with your neighbour before winter.

Ice, shade and freeze-thaw

Houses close together cast long shadows in winter, which means narrow driveways between homes may never get direct sun. Snow that melts on the roof drips down and refreezes along the driveway. Seasonal salt is $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, which is where older, shaded lots need the most help.

Eavestroughs are part of the picture, too. Clogged or overflowing eavestroughs on older homes can drip onto steps and walkways all day, creating ice patches that come back every night. Cleaning them in the fall reduces the problem a great deal.

Pet-safe de-icer is available for $120 for the season, a good choice for porches, wooden steps and homes with dogs.

Automatic service and pricing

Seasonal service runs December 1 to March 31, automatic every snowfall of 5 cm or more. We clear the City windrow, return during long storms and send a timestamped photo after every visit. Most Old East driveways fall into the single or 1.5-car range at $650 to $725 plus HST. If you rarely use your driveway, per-visit clearing at $70 to $85 may suit you better. Seniors and front-line workers receive 5 percent off seasonal plans.

Get a fixed price for your Old East property

Older homes in Old East Village are worth the extra care in winter, especially the porches and steps that make them so distinctive. Request a free quote and we will measure your property from City of London maps and aerial imagery and send a fixed price within 1 business day, or call or text (548) 888-8702. Visit our Old East snow removal page and our salting and ice control service.

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.