Sidewalk Snow Removal

Sidewalk Snow Removal

At BSS we take our responsibility to provide exemplary Sidewalk Snow Removal very seriously.  The purpose of this post is to help our customers and potential customers understand the process of sidewalk snow removal in depth.  The first factor that is very important to understand is what we refer to as the “Trigger.”

What is a Snow Services Trigger?

The “trigger” for a Sidewalk Snow Removal event is the depth of accumulation that must be reached that will then “trigger” a response by BSS to remove the snow from a property.  Rather then leave this to an arbitrary feeling or individual expectation, we have set triggers for each snow service so that all of our customers can correctly identify when they should expect our crews to enter the fray and begin moving the snow. *

The trigger for the vast majority of our Sidewalk Snow Removal Services is 1″.**

What should we expect a properly cleared sidewalk to look like?

Our service crews, when providing Sidewalk Snow Removal services, will do our best to clear sidewalks from edge to edge each time we are out.  When using equipment we will seek to clear the sidewalks to approximately 6″ beyond each edge to ensure that we limit the amount of snow that falls back onto the sidewalk surface.  We have all seen or experienced the narrowing of sidewalks over a series of storms when snow accumulation exceeds the storage capacity and when snow falls back onto the surface.  It will often be the case, especially early in the season, that the snow removal equipment may scrape and/or expose the grass on either side of the sidewalk.  This is the norm and should be expected.  Here is an image that can help depict this . . .

 

Sidewalk Snow Removal

 

Again the reason for this is to limit the spill-back of snow onto the sidewalk surface and to ensure that there is snow storage on each side for subsequent snow accumulations. Early in the season, when there is snowfall before the ground freezes, our equipment may tear into the sod on a side of the sidewalk.  This is easily repaired by BSS in the spring and is a fact of snow removal life.  Tearing of turf can also occur later in the season as well as damage to sprinkler heads when they are caught by a snow shovel blade.  This is an ever present reality and may require repair in spring.  When this occurs, it is not a reflection of carelessness or inattention.  In fact, it is often unavoidable given a number of factor like: the level of the turf, the level of the sprinkler heads, the buckling of the sidewalk, etc.  Here is a depiction of what is ideal and what is often reality:

 

Snow Removal Sidewalks - Proper       Snow Removal Sidewalks - Improper

 

As you can see, when all is properly installed, the blade of a piece of shovel equipment glides over the edge of the sidewalk with no problem.  But when the sprinklers or the turf itself are higher than the walkway – things can catch.

The biggest takeaway – There will be areas that need addressed in the spring and we understand and need all of our customers to understand that this is part of the price of effective snow removal.***

What happens when my property reaches its Snow Storage capacity?

The winter of 2022-23 is a great example of this issue.  We experienced and saw properties all over the valley reach their capacity for snow storage and fortunately for our customers we had the equipment and the technicians to resolve this issue for them.  We have a service called ‘Snow Widening Walks’ that we utilize when conditions require it.  This service is part of our Winter Additional T&M Services and uses a larger piece of equipment to push and even lift snow away from the sidewalk area to alternate areas on the property.  In some less frequent cases, where there simply are no additional areas for storage, we provide for the removal of the snow from the property entirely.  This is already present on most authorized customer proposals that are presently active.  If you would like more information regarding our Winter Additional T&M Services please visit this link – Click Link Here.

How Do I report a Concern?

If you notice an area of concern please do these three things. (1.) Note the time and location of the occurrence; (2.) Take a picture of the concerned area; (3.) Submit these to the BSS Customer Portal (if you have access), or email the information to office@bozemansiteservices.com.

Concerns shared without the time, location and a picture may be difficult to resolve, so please provide all of this information with your submission.

We appreciate you taking the time to review this Sidewalk Snow Removal post and if you have any questions please reach out to us!

For current reports regarding BSS’ snow strategies please visit our Facebook page – Click Link Here.

For a full list of all of BSS’ Services – Click Link Here.

 

 

*When a trigger is met, we begin the removal of snow along predetermined routes – there may be a number of hours before a crew member reaches your individual property.

**Unless specifically addressed in the authorized service proposal.

***Sprinkler heads that were installed incorrectly above grade may be repaired by BSS at the cost of Time and Materials.