Spring Melt and Driveway Drainage: What to Watch For

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Where all that water goes

Every snowfall that is cleared from a driveway ends up in a pile somewhere on your property. By late winter those piles can hold a lot of water. When daytime temperatures climb above freezing, they release it gradually, often for weeks. If the piles sit on the high side of a driveway, beside the house, or on top of a drain, that water runs exactly where you do not want it.

Common spring melt problems

• Overnight ice sheets: water crosses the driveway in the afternoon and freezes after dark, a classic late-season slip hazard.
• Pooling at the garage door or at the bottom of sloped driveways.
• Water against the foundation where snow was piled tight to the house.
• Blocked catch basins on the street, which leave slush lakes at the end of the driveway.
• Lawn damage where heavy, salty piles sat on grass all winter.

Plan snow storage before the first storm

Most spring drainage problems are decided in December, when the first piles go down. Good snow storage puts piles on the low side of the driveway, on lawn areas that slope away from the house, and away from drains, window wells and walkways. Before the season, we mark edges, steps and drains on every property so they can be found under snow and kept clear as the winter goes on.

What you can do as the melt begins

• Break up and spread out large piles on mild days so they melt evenly rather than draining in one spot.
• Clear the opening of the nearest street catch basin if it is safe to do so, or report it to the City.
• Check that downspouts discharge away from the house and away from paved surfaces.
• Keep an eye on basement walls and window wells during a fast thaw.
• Salt or sand late-day puddles if a hard frost is forecast.

Late-season ice is still a risk

Spring melt season overlaps with cold nights, so refreeze can be just as slippery in March as in January. Seasonal salting covers refreeze visits, and if winter lingers you can add a season extension to April 15 for $95 plus HST.

How our seasonal service handles it

Our seasonal plans run from December 1 to March 31. Clearing is automatic every time 5 cm or more falls, so you never need to call or book a visit. In long storms we come back for return visits, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared as part of the service. Before the season starts we mark your edges, steps and drains so they can be found under snow. After every visit you get a timestamped photo. We are fully insured with $2,000,000 in liability coverage and registered with WSIB. Seasonal salting is available for $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, and seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. Prices are fixed for the season: single or 1.5-car driveways are $650 to $725, doubles are $815, and three-car, paver or stamped driveways are $1,050, all plus HST. We measure your property from City of London maps and aerial imagery and send a fixed quote within one business day. A 30% deposit reserves your spot, with the balance due before December 1.

Want this handled for you this winter? Request a free quote and we will measure your property and send a fixed price within one business day, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about salting and ice control and residential snow removal.

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.