How Much Do De-icing Services Cost in Vancouver?
As occasionally referred to as The Los Angeles of Canada, Vancouver does in fact experience winter, and with winter comes snow & ice. Ice poses a massive risk for both residential strata and businesses. Ice on sidewalks and driveways can lead to slips and falls, and ice on roadways can cause vehicle accidents or block access. As a result, many Vancouver businesses choose to hire a professional winter service provider to perform ice management services. These companies, such as Snow Queen Winter Management specialize in salting and de-icing surfaces to reduce the risk that snow & ice pose. The safety of residents, employees, and customers should be a top priority, and ice management services provide an important layer of protection against slips and falls.
In this article, we will explain how to budget for de-icing services, including some of the factors that affect the cost and the average price of ice management services in Vancouver.
How much do you need to budget for ice management services?
While it may not seem like a necessity with Vancouver’s winters, when compared to the rest of Canada, snow removal & salting services are important for any property. Budgeting for these services can help you avoid a costly slip & fall lawsuit, but what should you budget?
When budgeting you should consider how many times the temperature may hit freezing or below. Based on a 5-year average, Vancouver experiences 45 days at which the temperature drops to zero degrees celsius or below. Not only should you consider standard or automatic de-icing services when budgeting for ice management, but snow events should be factored in. Every time snow removal is performed a de-icer must be applied.
An automatic de-icing service is when Snow Queen’s SnowCAST system alerts to a temperature drop of 0 degrees or below and de-icing crews are dispatched to perform services.
What are some of the factors that affect the cost of ice management services?
The cost of ice management services can vary depending on a number of factors. One of the most important factors is the type of de-icer that is used. More expensive de-icers, such as calcium chloride, are more effective at lower temperatures and can help to prevent re-freezing. Another factor that can affect the cost of ice management services is the frequency of freezing and thawing cycles. Properties that are located in areas with frequent freeze-thaw cycles will require more frequent de-icing, which can add to the overall cost. Finally, the risk posed by a property can also affect the cost of ice management services. Retail properties with high foot or a property that may be at a high risk of a slip & fall accident, such as a medical clinic will require a more frequent and careful ice removal strategy, which can increase the cost. By understanding these various factors, property owners can get a better sense of what to expect when budgeting for ice management services.
What is the average price for de-icing services in Vancouver?
Prices for ice management services such as salting, or liquid brine can vary depending on the size of the property, which product is used, and the overall liability risk. In general, Vancouver snow removal companies charge an average base rate of $350 per application for their de-icing services.
Remember: There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the final price for ice management—it differs from property to property because of various factors. For example, a small residential condo complex might need an eco & pet-friendly deicer, which costs more than other options, whereas a large commercial parking lot may only require rock salt or liquid brine applications.
Should you hire an ice management company or do it yourself?
To protect yourself and your property, you should always hire a professional winter service provider for not only ice management services but for snow clearing as well.
First, and foremost you should consider your liability exposure. If you performed salting services yourself and a slip & fall were to occur on your property, would you have evidence that followed best practices to prevent this slip & fall from occurring?
Hiring a winter service provider like Snow Queen Winter Management offers you the assurance that they will follow industry best practices, and collect evidence on your behalf, and the best benefit of all is that you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night.
Pet & environmentally friendly de-icing
If you looking for de-icing services with environmentally friendly salting or a custom-tailored ice management strategy, please request a quote today.