If there is one thing Chicago business or commercial property owners know, it is snow. So the next thing it helps to know is Chicago snow removal. Whether you own a business in this area, you need to be able to address the need for snow remediation.
The sooner you start planning for how to deal with it now, the better plan of action you will have in place once the snow starts falling. The best choices you can make involve letting someone else handle the job for you.
Commercial Chicago Snow Removal
There are two driving forces behind making sure that you address the need for snow removal, if you own a business. For one thing, you want to be able to remain accessible to your customers. Unless it’s blizzard conditions, you want to be able to stay open for business, as long as possible.
More than likely, if you are closed you can rest assured it will be your competition that is getting all the business. The other great concern is that you are responsible for keeping your commercial building safe, inside and out. This includes parking lots, sidewalks and walkways.
If someone trips and falls, it is you who will be liable for damages and compensation. Some reasons you are going to want to let an industry expert handle snow remediation for you include:
- They already have the right equipment. Not only do you not have the heavy-duty industrial equipment needed to get this type of job done, it would be too expensive to buy. The bottom line is that it is more cost-effective to let a professional handle the job.
- Safety is another important factor. Getting snow removal taken care of protects your customers and employees. Yet letting a professional handle the job also protects your safety because you don’t have to attempt to execute the task.
- It is also great to let someone handle your snow clearing because you will have peace of mind. Simply knowing that, once the snow starts to come down, that you will have a professional there to rectify the situation makes all the difference. Focus on your business and life while the pros handle the rest.
Calling in the Snow Removal Experts
All Ways Paving & Plowing is your number one local Chicago snow removal resource for a variety of important jobs, including snow plowing. Our greatest concern is your safety, which is why we want to be able to address the problem for you. Give us a call today and let’s get your snow removal service set up.
Chicago Snow plowing services are wonderful for winter landscaping and care while also providing you with the time to enjoy other things besides tough work in bitter cold winds and getting exhausted from continuous heavy lifting.
Snow plowing services certainly take a chore away that many are more than happy to hand off, but there are other great reasons to hire professionals to take care of snow plowing throughout the season.
Saves Headaches and Injuries
Manually shovelling snow, especially heavy wet snow is one of the easiest ways to get injured during the winter season. Many people don’t stretch properly before heading out into the cold and the majority of business owners use standard shovels that are improper lengths and require awkward bending and lifting that are ideal for straining the back.
Other problems are the times that shovelling is required. A great feature of hiring Chicago snow plowing services is the fact that they will arrive when you like and get to work when you need it. You won’t have to fuss or worry about anything except what you will do with your new free time.
Avoid Accidental Damage
The problem with large amounts of snow covering your entire property and surrounding property is the fact that many things are hidden, which could lead to accidental damage or even more serious problems like hitting a water pipe or hydrant.
Whether you use a standard shovel or a snow blower, there is always a danger of accidentally hitting some obstruction that may be hidden under the snow. With professional Chicago snow plowing companies, they are well trained to handle heavy snow build up and plow without causing any damage to your or city property.
To avoid getting into such a frightening and unnecessary situation, it’s easy to just use professional snow plowing companies to get things done quickly and properly.
Great Presentation
For anyone wanting to have a nicely manicured look for the holidays, there are wonderful snow plowing services that provide a clean and professionally cared for property for the best presentation for the season.
Great for Commercial Areas
Ideal for virtually any type of property, snow plowing services for commercial areas. Depending on the size of the job or the needs of their customers, there are many great companies that can perfectly accommodate for the job that needs to be done. From driveways, large parking lots or the surrounding area of commercial properties, properly plowing the snow will ensure a safe environment and give each area great presentation.
Whether it’s a last-minute call or a regular schedule job throughout the season, the name and number of a great Chicago snow plowing service should always be kept by the phone because you just never know when it will come in handy.
Winter weather conditions can quickly make driving dangerous. However, most people must still go to work, school, and run other errands despite the snow and ice, so municipalities have to send out Chicago snow plows to clear the roadways. When Chicago snow plows are out on the roads, it is important to drive slowly and carefully so that you can avoid accidents with the Chicago snow plow itself as well as other vehicles.
Be On The Watch Out For Chicago Snow Plows On The Road
First, these large machines typically travel about 35 miles per hour or less as they scrape the streets. It can be tempting to pass the slow-moving, bulky machines, but this is dangerous. Remember, the road ahead of the Chicago snow plow is not yet clear of its snow and ice. Also, snow plow drivers have a limited range of vision due to the shape of their vehicles, and their blades can stir up swirling snow clouds that make it even more difficult to see. They may be unable to see you as you pass.
Additionally, some snow blades can extend eight feet beyond the edge of the car, and you may not be able to see these blades to pass around them safely. Lastly, if you cannot avoid passing, remember that Chicago snow plows push the snow to the right side of the road, so you typically want to pass to the left. Also, when you cut back in front of the Chicago snow plow, remember that the blade sticks out several feet beyond the front of the truck.
Give Chicago Snow Plows Plenty Of Room On The Road
Lastly, if you are passing a Chicago snow plow that is coming from the other direction, try to move over as far as you can. This is because wide blades can edge into your lane, making you more likely to clip your car on the plow.
With winter on its way, it is important to understand how to drive safely in inclement weather. However, not everyone may take the time or have the patience to drive slowly and carefully in hazardous road conditions. This can put you and your loved ones at risk of terrible accidents.
1. Get several estimates
- Prices are based on layout and size of area to be plowed.
- Any additional services such as snow shoveling, sanding and ice removal will cost extra.
- Do they bill per hour or a flat rate per job
- Be cautious of low bids, low bids may equal poor service
2. Understand the services you are getting
- What is included in the Chicago Snow Removal estimate?
- What other services do they provide?
- How much for additional service?
- Do they charge based on snow levels, an hourly rate or flat rate?
- When and how often will they come?
3. Ask about additional charges and price options
- What about additional charges from heavy snowfalls, multiple snowfalls in a day will your Chicago Snow Removal Contractor charge?
- Any discounts or special pricing?
4. Ask for references
- Ask for references and check them out
- Check out the business with BBB
- Check Angie’s list for current and past customers
5. Get an in-person estimate and written agreement
- Meet with them at your location that will be serviced
- Get a written agreement of all and any charges
- No verbal agreements or promises
- Refuse agreements made over the phone
- Who to contact in case of damages – get a contact name and number
- Who to contact for general questions or rescheduling
- How can you terminate the agreement if necessary?
- Call all numbers before they leave to verify working phone numbers
6. Proof of insurance and bonded
7. Avoid being SCAMMED
- Never pay with cash, check or credit card only
- Never be pressured to sign agreements
- Only sign agreement when you fully understand what you are paying for.
Now you have a checklist to use. Compare this to your current service or use this when checking out a new service. You should feel comfortable with anyone who will be doing work for you and have at least two ways to contact you Chicago Snow Removal Contractor for questions or billing concerns. If you are not happy with the service, call them and let them know. Also call them if you love their service maybe you will get a little bonus next time they come. At the very least you ensure that they will do a great job each time they come out.
Don’t let snow and ice make your driveway or steps unsafe. With a professional Chicago snow removal service, you can stay cozy and warm inside while the experts clear your pathways and drive!
Winter is just around the corner. That means now is the time to line up your snow removal service for the coming months. Snow and ice can be a major pain when you have to clear your driveway or shovel your steps, but with the help of a professional plowing service, you can enjoy the beauty of winter weather without having to worry about the work!
Plowing services are an easy, affordable way to take the stress out of winter. Instead of having to spend hours outside shoveling every time it snows, you can sit back while the experts take great care of you. Professional snow removal service can help commercial properties clear, and with the specialized tools necessary for complete snow elimination, these pros can make sure the snow is gone without damaging your asphalt or landscaping. Snow plowing and removal is ideal for:
* Walkways
* Steps
* Driveways
* Parking Lots
* And More!
So regardless of whether you’re worried about customer safety at your retail location or you just need to be able to navigate your driveway after it snows, snow plowing services are a practical solution. They’ll save you the time and effort of shoveling heavy snow, ensure your walkways and drive are no longer slippery and slick, and can even prevent injuries sustained while shoveling. With these great benefits, it’s no wonder that more and more business owners are contacting professional plowing snow removal teams for their wintertime needs.
And remember, many snow plowing companies have a limited capacity and slots may fill up fast. Don’t get stuck shoveling your own driveway this winter: call your professional snow removal expert for snow plowing service without the hassle, inconvenience, and back-breaking work. Stay inside and let them take care of all of your snow removal needs!
The most widely accepted commercial tool for snow removal is the snow plow. This is especially useful in large capacities. In modern times, a snow plow consists of a large pick-up truck with a large plow that is permanently attached. Some plows will an electric and/or hydraulics used to raise and lower them. Even bigger plows may be affixed to a very large tractor, backhoe or loader. Some of which may contain more then one large plow and even distribute salt as they plow. Aside from pickup trucks, snow plows can also be found on other types of vehicles such as a personal SUV or even a small riding mower that is traditionally used to cut grass in the summer. Snow plows are also used to mount on rail cars to remove snow from train tracks.
Where snow blowers work by use of an impeller to draw snow into the chute a snow plow works different and uses a much simpler concept. Using the force of the vehicle the snow plow is pushed either forward or on an angle. The blade of the snow plow captures the snow and forces it towards the direction of the vehicle clearing the surface previously covered.
The earliest versions of a snow plow were powered by horses. The wedge-type blades were made of wood. Since the invention of the automobile the snow plow was logically adopted and converted for use with vehicles. Patents for snow plows were issued as far back as the early 1920’s. The first infamous plow for vehicles was created by two brothers named Hans and Even Overaasen from Norway. They constructed a plow for use on vehicles which was soon paved the way for traditional equipment used today to clear roads, railways and airports. Soon after the Overaasen Snow Removal Systems came into being. Another milestone inventor by the name of Carl Frink was also considered an early manufacturer car-mounted snow plows. His company, Frink Snowplows, which was based out of Clayton, New York, was created in 1920 and still runs today under the name Frink-America.
Trains and snow plowing go back as far as the mid-1800’s. An interesting invention known as the rotary snow plow was created by a Canadian dentist named J.W. Elliot. A rotary snow plow contains a set of blades positioned in a circle. It works by rotating the blades and cutting through the snow as the train moves forward. The rotary snow plow was conceived after ongoing problems with the traditional wedge plow. The wedge snow plow, which works like many plows today, simply could not move the snow aside quick enough for trains. The rotary snow plow requires the power of an engine to rotate the blades. Usually, a second engine is used to assist in moving the train while the first one in front is responsible for removing the snow. As the blades turn the snow is lifted through a channel and forced to the top out the chute. The operator sits up top in a cab behind the chute he or she has the ability to control the direction of the chute and rate of speed of the blades. These controls eventually led back to the ‘pushing’ engine so that the operator of a pushing locomotive could have control. In areas where severe snowfall is called for the use of ‘double’ or ‘duel’ rotary engines were put into use. The engines would contain rotary plows on both ends. They were often effective in clearing snow from rail stations and in situations where the snow continued to accumulate after going in one direction.
The earliest rotary blades were power by stem engines while newer ones are powered by gas or electricity. Due to the advancement of newer technologies rotary blades are seldom used anymore. They are also very expensive to maintain an only used as a last resort by many railway companies.
Plows were a godsend to citizens in the late 1800’s. It helped ease the stresses of transportation. While horse-drawn plow was uncommon in most cities in North America in the 1860’s – it soon became widespread with popularity. However with the clearing of roadways came a new problem that we still see today. While plowing effectively cleared roadways it blocked the sidewalks and side roads that pedestrians used to travel on. Piles of snow lined the sides of streets. Citizens complained and even brought about lawsuits targeting plowing companies. Store owners complained that their store fronts were inaccessible to customers because of the mounds of snow left behind as a result of plowing. Pedestrians had to overcome the snow while walking down sidewalks. Sleigh riders also became annoyed as the resulting plowed surface created ruts and uneven surfaces.
The citizens of major cities across North America responded in several ways. They hired people to shovel the walkways and horse-drawn carts to remove the snow. Often, they worked in conjunction with the plow companies to haul the snow away into nearby rivers. This not only resolved the issues for pedestrians and store owners but also created a small surplus of jobs for the winter season. This can still be seen today.
If you are looking for A History of Snow Plows & Snow Plowing for your business, please call 773-763-7600 or complete our request estimate form.