Can they find your house?
Crews find you by your civic number. In winter that number can disappear behind snowbanks, a snow-covered mailbox or a dark porch.
- Make sure your house number is easy to read from the street, ideally from both directions, and is not hidden by snow, wreaths or decorations.
- If the number is on a post or mailbox at the road, keep the snowbank and the City windrow from burying it.
- Keep the porch light working, and leave it on at night if anyone in the home has a health condition that could lead to a 911 call.
A path wide enough for a stretcher
A narrow path that is fine for one person on foot can be a real problem for two paramedics with a stretcher or a stair chair. Aim for a clear route from the driveway or the street to the door you would use in an emergency.
- Clear the full width of the walkway, not just a single shovel-wide track.
- Clear the steps and landing completely, and keep the railing free of snow and ice.
- Do not let snowbanks lean over the walkway, and break up piles before they get so tall that meltwater runs across the path and refreezes.
- Salt or sand the steps and walkway on icy days. Our guide why steps and walkways get icy before driveways explains why those spots freeze first.
If someone in your home uses a wheelchair or walker, our guide snow clearing for wheelchair and walker users at home has more on keeping a wider, safer route.
Room on the driveway
An ambulance will usually stop on the street, but crews still need to get from it to your door. A cleared driveway and a cleared windrow at the end of the driveway make that much easier than climbing a bank. Our guide what is a City windrow? explains how that ridge forms after the City plows the road.
Fire hydrants near your home
If there is a fire hydrant in front of or beside your property, never pile driveway or walkway snow on it, and do not let a snowbank bury it. Firefighters need to see it and connect a hose quickly. If you are not sure what the City asks of residents with a hydrant nearby, check the City of London’s website or call 311. Businesses with hydrants and fire routes on site can see keeping fire routes and hydrants clear on commercial property.
Vents, the gas meter and carbon monoxide
Some winter emergencies start inside. A furnace or water heater vent blocked by snow can cause carbon monoxide to build up in the home. Keep vents and the gas meter clear after every snowfall and after the City plow goes by, and make sure your carbon monoxide alarms work. Ontario requires CO alarms in homes with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Our guide keeping furnace vents and gas meters clear of snow explains what to look for.
Extra steps for older relatives
- If an older parent lives alone, make sure someone nearby can clear or arrange clearing after every storm, not just when they visit.
- If they use a medical alert service, ask the provider how responders will get in, and keep that door clear.
- Keep the main entrance clear even if they normally use the garage, because crews will usually come to the front door.
Our guide booking snow removal for an aging parent covers how families set this up.
A quick winter checklist
- House number visible from the street, day and night.
- Driveway, windrow, walkway and steps cleared full width.
- Railings clear, steps salted or sanded on icy days.
- Vents, gas meter and any nearby hydrant uncovered.
- Porch light working; CO and smoke alarms tested.
How a seasonal plan helps
Keeping a home reachable all winter is easier when the clearing happens without you having to be there. A seasonal snow removal plan clears your driveway automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. In long storms we come back for return visits, the City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared, and you get a timestamped photo after every visit. Add walkway and steps so the route to the door is covered too. Seniors save 5% on seasonal plans; see snow removal for seniors.
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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Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
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