Shovelling can be a pain, but it’s worth it! When you live in Winnipeg, you know how quickly snow can bury sidewalks, parking lots, loading zones and entryways. If you leave it be, you’re creating a serious safety risk, which can have long-term repercussions. This might leave you asking, what actually happens if you don’t shovel snow?
Sadly, ignoring snow isn’t harmless. When you leave it for too long, it can create safety hazards, damage your concrete or asphalt, hurt your business and, in some cases, lead to fines. You may even end up needing to call a professional snow removal team in Winnipeg to clear the hardened snow with special equipment.
At The Whiteout Group, we take care of commercial snow clearing, industrial snow handling and municipal snow services for properties across Winnipeg. Trust us, prevention is cheaper than the cure. Here’s what happens when you let snow sit on a surface for too long.
Safety Risks
When you don’t shovel snow, it creates an unsafe environment for everyone. Snow can compact, melt and refreeze quickly. In Winnipeg, temperatures are constantly fluctuating so you have to watch out for this.
Leaving snow untouched can cause:
- Slip-and-fall injuries on sidewalks and walkways
- Invisible ice patches that refreeze overnight
- Vehicle skidding in parking lots
- Blocked emergency exits or pathways
If someone slips and falls on your uncleared property, you can be held legally and financially responsible. Many Winnipeg businesses face liability claims each winter when they don’t clear snow with proper guidelines fast enough, don’t let that be you!
Your Concrete and Asphalt Start to Deteriorate
Snow is cold yet destructive if you leave it long enough. Snow melts during the day and seeps into concrete or asphalt and then freezes again overnight. When the ice expands, the material pushes apart, causing long-term damage.
This can result in:
- Expanding cracks
- Surface flaking (spalling)
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Drainage problems
Even leaving snow for one winter can damage pavement in the long run. If your parking lots or sidewalks are showing signs of cracking or heaving, you need professional help. The Whiteout Group can help you protect your surfaces with snow clearing and ice-control services.
Your Property Becomes Harder to Access
When snow piles up, it becomes more difficult to access your property. Here are some of the common scenarios:
- Customers can’t find parking spots
- Employees struggle to walk safely from their vehicles
- Deliveries get delayed because loading zones are blocked
- Entrances and exits become narrow or unusable
When you run a business, you can lose revenue, experience safety issues and end up with frustrated visitors. For municipal properties, it reduces walkability and causes service interruptions. Without snow clearing with proper equipment, a property becomes difficult to access and people tend to avoid it when access drops.
You May Face Fines or Insurance Problems
Winnipeg bylaws require certain sidewalks and public areas to be free of snow within certain timeframes. Not shovelling can lead to a fine or forced cleanup at your own cost.
Some insurance companies will refuse coverage for slip-and-fall claims if your snow maintenance isn’t up to standard. Even worse, you might experience higher premiums if a preventable accident occurs.
Besides being risky, not shovelling is also expensive.
Snow Piles Lead to Long-Term Property Issues
When snow isn’t removed, piles grow. Your problems grow as a result. Large snowbanks can have the following consequences:
- Reduce visibility for drivers
- Take up valuable parking space
- Cause meltwater pooling and flooding
- Block drainage routes
- Push against buildings and concrete curbs
Snow removal is the solution here. In these cases, snow clearing alone won’t help once the piles get too big.
Keep Your Property Safe All Winter Long
What happens if you don’t shovel snow? You’ll have to deal with safety risks, fines, property damage, accessibility issues and costly repairs due to a lack of proper winter maintenance. At The Whiteout Group, our goal is to help Winnipeg businesses remain clear, safe and fully operational, especially during the harshest winter conditions. We can help with both regular snow clearing and full snow removal.
Ready for dependable winter service? Contact us today to learn more about our services!
