Winter is here, and snow in the parking lot can quickly become a headache for commercial property owners. Snow, ice, and heavy snowfall can create dangerous conditions, impacting everything from accessibility to safety.
Whether it’s maintaining clear driveways or ensuring pedestrians can safely walk to entrances, efficient snow clearing is a responsibility every property owner must take seriously. Luckily, this blog explores seven actionable strategies to help property owners effectively manage snow and ice throughout the winter months.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize safety by regularly removing snow and managing ice.
- Collaborate with professional snow removal services for complex jobs.
- Address hazards promptly to avoid fines, accidents, or injuries.
Why Should You Manage Snow in Parking Lots?
Snow in parking lots and surrounding areas like sidewalks, city streets, and off-street parking spaces can lead to serious risks. Ice buildup increases the chances of accidents, while poorly cleared lots may inconvenience tenants, customers, and emergency vehicles.
Proper snow and ice management helps property owners:
- Maintain Safety: Prevents hazards for pedestrians and vehicles, reducing liability risks.
- Avoid Inconveniences: Keeps lots accessible during severe weather.
- Stay Compliant: Adheres to city rules, avoiding tickets, fines, or vehicles being towed.
Strategies for Managing Snow in Parking Lots
Managing snow in parking lots is crucial during the winter months to ensure safety, accessibility, and compliance. With the right strategies, property owners can effectively handle heavy snowfall, ice, and other winter hazards to maintain safe and functional spaces.
#1: Develop a Snow Removal Plan
Creating a detailed snow removal plan is crucial for managing snow in parking lots during the winter months. Property owners must address responsibilities like clearing driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots, ensuring that crews can efficiently remove snow after a storm.
A strong plan includes storing snow away from fire hydrants, curbs, and city streets to maintain visibility for vehicles and pedestrians. For example, contractors should prioritize high-traffic areas like entrances, schools, and off-street parking zones.
Keeping a log of plowing activities allows property owners to track progress and ensure every area gets the necessary attention. This proactive approach minimizes inconvenience for residents and emergency vehicles while ensuring safety during severe weather.
#2: Hire a Professional Snow Removal Service
For large properties, hiring contractors is often the most efficient way to manage snow removal. Professional crews equipped with trucks, angle plows, and wings can handle heavy snowfall and keep parking lots, sidewalks, and streets clear.
Reliable contractors understand city regulations, like parking bans or areas where plowing is prohibited, ensuring compliance and avoiding fines or tickets. They also manage emergency situations, like blizzards, without property owners paying extra mileage charges.
With professional help, property owners can focus on maintaining safe and accessible spaces for cars, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles.
#3: Invest in High-Quality Equipment
Property owners managing snow removal in-house should invest in durable equipment for efficient snow clearing.
Tools like edge plows, salt spreaders, and wing attachments make it easier to clear parking lots, driveways, and streets. Equipment should be maintained regularly to avoid breakdowns during critical hours.
By ensuring reliable equipment, property owners can complete the first pass quickly and keep areas like off-street parking and walkways accessible.
#4: Prioritize Ice Control
Ice can be as dangerous as snow, creating hazards for cars, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles. To maintain safe conditions, apply de-icing materials before storms and monitor sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots for refreezing.
Focusing on high-traffic areas like entrances and doors helps prevent injuries and accidents. Repairs to cracks in curbs or pavement can minimize ice buildup, while proper ice control measures reduce liability for property owners during winter months.
#5: Designate Snow Storage Areas
Efficient snow removal requires designated storage areas to prevent obstructions in parking lots, streets, and sidewalks.
Snow should be stored away from fire hydrants, driveways, and city streets to avoid blocking visibility for vehicles and emergency crews. Limited space in parking lots can be managed creatively by using low-traffic zones for storage.
Avoiding these hazards ensures that plowing doesn’t create more problems for property owners, residents, and city services.
#6: Install Winter-Ready Signage
Winter-ready signage is essential for ensuring safety during severe weather. Temporary reflective signs help residents and visitors navigate icy areas, parking bans, or zones where plowing is in progress. For example, placing signs near curbs, ramps, or other hazardous zones reduces accidents and fines.
Signs can also communicate prohibited parking areas to prevent cars from being towed or blocking snow removal efforts. This straightforward measure ensures compliance and helps avoid inconvenience during storms.
#7: Conduct Regular Property Inspections
Frequent inspections during the winter months allow property owners to identify hazards and maintain safety across their parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways.
After each snowfall or storm, check for ice patches, snow buildup, and drainage issues near curbs and high-traffic zones. Walking the property ensures hazards are addressed promptly, helping prevent accidents and ensuring accessibility for emergency vehicles and pedestrians.
Logging inspections and repairs makes it easier to track progress and manage responsibilities effectively.
By conducting regular checks, property owners can maintain their lots and sidewalks in safe, operational condition throughout the season.
Conclusion
Managing snow in parking lots requires a proactive approach to ensure safety, accessibility, and compliance. From developing a snow removal plan to working with professional services, these strategies empower property owners to handle winter’s challenges efficiently.
Don’t let snow and ice disrupt your operations! Contact Roberts Property Management today for expert snow removal services that keep your property clear and safe all season long.
