Winter Driveway Tips for Stoney Creek Homes

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Compact yards, limited storage

In many newer north London neighbourhoods, double garages and wide driveways take up much of the frontage, leaving a narrow strip of lawn on either side. That strip is where all the snow has to go for four months. By February, homeowners often find their piles are so high that new snow slides back onto the driveway.

A few habits help. Push snow well back onto the lawn early in the season rather than piling it right at the driveway edge. Keep the piles lower and wider instead of tall and narrow. And avoid piling snow on the side where your neighbour's driveway is right beside yours.

Leave room near the street, too. Snow piled right at the end of the driveway makes it harder to see children on the sidewalk and cars coming down the street when you back out. Keeping that corner low is a simple safety step.

The windrow on busy streets

Collector roads and crescents are plowed by the City on its own schedule, and every pass leaves a windrow of compacted snow across the end of the driveway. On streets with heavier traffic, plows may go by more than once in a storm. We clear the City windrow as part of every visit, and in long storms we make return visits so you are not boxed in at the end of the day.

Never push windrow snow back onto the road. It is tempting when the lawn is full, but it creates a hazard for drivers and can lead to complaints. Moving it onto your own property is the safe and expected approach.

Sidewalks, kids and school mornings

Stoney Creek has many families with school-age children. The walkway from the front door to the driveway is used constantly, and it is easy to forget when you are focused on getting the car out. Our walkway and steps service starts at $150 and is cleared on the same visit as the driveway.

• Clear steps and walkway with every snowfall.
• Salt the top step and the spot where the walkway meets the driveway.
• Keep boots and salt by the door for quick touch-ups.
• Choose pet-safe de-icer ($120 seasonal) if you have dogs.

Ice after the snow

London winters swing above and below freezing. Snow melts on a sunny afternoon, runs down the driveway, and refreezes overnight, often in the low spot by the garage or at the bottom near the street. Seasonal salt is $175 plus HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, not just snow days. That is the protection most newer homes need, since a smooth new driveway can be especially slick when glazed.

Downspouts that empty onto or beside the driveway are a common source of ice in newer subdivisions. If you can, add an extension that directs water onto the lawn instead. If not, let us know where they are so those areas get extra attention.

How seasonal service works

Service runs December 1 to March 31 and is automatic every snowfall of 5 cm or more. Nobody needs to call. Every visit ends with a timestamped photo. Edges, steps and drains are marked before the season so new lawns and young trees are protected. Single or 1.5-car driveways are $650 to $725 plus HST, doubles are $815, and three-car, paver or stamped driveways are $1,050. Priority early-morning clearing is $125. A 30 percent deposit holds your spot and the balance is due before December 1.

Get a fixed price for your Stoney Creek property

In a compact neighbourhood like Stoney Creek, a little planning keeps your driveway, walkway and neighbour relations in good shape all winter. 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 Stoney Creek snow removal page or read about 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.