Preparing your retail property for winter weather in Vancouver, B.C. (or wherever you are) involves several vital steps to ensure the safety and comfort of both customers and staff.
Whether it’s a sudden cold snap or a major blizzard, maintaining safe pathways and managing potentially slippery surfaces is a big concern in the winter months.
Not only are you responsible for the safety of walkways and the areas around your entrance, but also to ensure the weather doesn’t take its toll on the condition of your building and the surrounding property and landscaping.
Understanding the Importance of Snow Removal and Ice Management
The lights may be on inside, but if the exterior of your retail property is neglected, your business operations will suffer. Timely snow and ice management enables businesses to operate as usual. Obstructed entrances, ugly parking, and dangerous ice patches are a turnoff to customers of every demographic.
Slips, trips, and falls on your property can lead to municipal fines, litigation, higher insurance premiums, and damage to your reputation. What does it say about your business if you can’t spare the resources to ensure people’s safety and accessibility while visiting or working at your location?
Assessing Your Property’s Needs
Whether you’re responsible for a massive big-box store or a popular restaurant, the weather outside can influence your sales. Whether you’re looking after things yourself or hiring someone to take care of the winter maintenance for you, you’ll need to factor in the following items.
Layout of the Property
The layout and size of a property play a significant role in determining the level of outdoor upkeep. Properties with expansive parking lots or large outdoor spaces will likely need professional snow removal services.
Additionally, large properties may also require pressure to keep them looking their best. Icy conditions mean salt and de-icers, which can take a visible toll on concrete surfaces. Property maintenance providers will know how to remove the stains those products can sometimes leave behind.
Historical Weather Patterns
While historical patterns can’t guarantee the weather for the upcoming season, they do provide valuable insights into what regions may experience. This information can help prepare for potential weather events like heavy snowstorms, periods of excess rain (on the West Coast), and seasonal cold fronts.
If your business has kept records of prior winter maintenance, it’s never too soon to review that data to inform your upcoming winter strategy.
Local Regulations
Depending on your location or the stipulations of your property lease, each business’s snow removal responsibilities will differ.
For example, retail property owners in Greater Vancouver and their occupants are generally considered responsible for removing ice and snow from the sidewalks around their buildings. It is typically expected that the entire width of any walkway is to be shoveled by 10 a.m. the day after a snowfall. Fines starting at $250 can be issued for non-compliance.
Businesses with outdoor seating, especially in the hospitality industry (e.g., restaurants or cafes), are typically required to remove snow from their patios or outdoor areas as well.
Regardless of what the city ordinances dictate, it is up to you to do the right thing for the customers you rely on and the people within your local community.
Developing a Snow Removal Plan
Retail property should take proactive measures to ensure snow and ice management is handled effectively. It starts by having a sound strategy in place for whatever the weather has in store.
Establish Clear Objectives
Create a detailed snow and ice management plan, including who will handle snow removal, how often it will be done, and what materials (e.g., salt, sand, ice melt) will be used.
Create a Budget
You must have the funds to access the necessary resources for removing the ice and snow.
You’ll have to contract a reputable snow removal company, or you’ll have to ensure you have the staff and materials on hand to carry out the tasks internally. If you choose the latter option, you should budget for the following items (as deemed necessary) if you don’t already have them on hand:
Snow Removal Items
- Snow Shovels (ergonomic, heavy-duty, or specialized types)
- Snow Pushers (for larger driveways or walkways)
- Snow Blower (single or two-stage, depending on the size of the area)
- Ice Scrapers (for cars, windows, and windshields)
- Snow Plow Attachment (for trucks, ATVs)
- Fuel for Snow Blower (gasoline, propane, or batteries as required)
- Repair Tool Kits
- Machine Servicing
De-Icing Materials
- Snow Removal Salt Spreader (for even distribution of ice melt)
- Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride) (most common for roads and driveways)
- Calcium Chloride (works at lower temperatures than salt)
- Magnesium Chloride (less corrosive, effective in extreme cold)
- Potassium Chloride (alternative for environmental concerns)
- Sand (for traction, used in combination with de-icers)
- Pet-Safe Ice Melt (if your business caters to pets or there are wildlife concerns)
- Ice Melt Pellets (fast-acting and low-dust varieties)
- Reflective Vest (for visibility when working in low-light conditions)
- Safety Glasses or Goggles (to protect eyes from flying salt or ice)
- Storage Containers (for de-icing materials, to keep them dry and protected)
Like all business matters, you don’t want to delay winter planning to the last minute.
In terms of other expenditures, you’ll also want to review your insurance policy. Ensure it covers potential snow-related incidents, snow removal, and ice hazards.
Choose Your Snow Removal Methods
Depending on the size of your lot, you will require proper staffing, tools, equipment, and designated areas to pile up the snow. If the snowfall is heavy, you may need snow hauling to physically remove it from your lot
.
If snow removal is not part of your company’s internal operations, partnering with a professional snow removal and de-icing service can ensure timely and thorough work. You’ll want to look for a company that offers 24/7 coverage, especially during heavy snowstorms.
Various companies offer different payment options. Some may provide time and materials contracts where you are charged for the hours worked. Other providers may charge based on the volume of snow, while others may offer more comprehensive seasonal maintenance contracts.
Either way, it’s nice to establish a relationship with a reputable service provider before their services get booked solid for the winter.
Should you decide to handle the snow removal in-house, investing in the right equipment—such as snow plows, blowers, and de-icing materials—can improve efficiency and safety. You’ll want to be sure the designated staff know their responsibilities.
Implement an Ice Management Strategy
Ice often becomes your biggest concern for retail property owners when dealing with the fallout of chilly seasonal temperatures. This facilitates the need for a proactive strategy. Any plan should include:
- Identifying high-risk areas
- Prioritizing high-traffic zones
- Evaluating drainage patterns
- Monitoring local weather forecasts
- Choosing the most appropriate de-icing products (rock salt, calcium chloride, potassium chloride)
- Scheduling pre-treatments and post-storm work
- Implementing warning signage for customers
- Ensuring proper safety training and protocols for assigned crews
- Tracking the usage of de-icers and emergency expenditures
A well-documented snow removal or ice management plan and consistent upkeep are your company’s best defense in the event of a claim. A clearly outlined plan with dated actions demonstrates that you took reasonable measures to prevent accidents.
Communication Plan
A successful ice management strategy combines proactive planning, the right materials, and effective snow removal processes.
However you choose to go about it, you need to inform your employees (or building tenants) about the snow removal plan and have them monitor conditions to ensure any new accumulation is dealt with promptly.
Monitoring Weather Conditions Regularly
Knowing what comes next regarding the weather is critical for strategic planning. Thankfully, plenty of resources are available to help you stay up-to-date with the local forecast. The Weatherhood app, The Weather Channel, and the Government of Canada’s official weather information page will help you stay current.
Pre-Storm Preparations
Business properties will vary in size and appearance, but the following tips are recommended before the next big winter storm.
- Inspect your gutters, downspouts, and nearby sewer drains for blockages.
- Make sure your roof is in good condition before the onset of more severe weather.
- Lay down de-icers or sand to ensure people can maintain a solid grip underfoot.
- Test all outdoor lighting to ensure proper illumination throughout the day.
- Secure any loose items that could blow about during high winds.
- Cover outdoor fixtures such as HVAC units with protective tarps.
- Make sure any backup power generators are operational and fueled.
- Remove any dead trees or weak branches that could break under the weight of the snow.
- Winterize all exterior pipes and faucets.
- Consider the installation of heated de-icing cables along the eaves of your roof to prevent ice dams or snow-melting stair mats to prevent falls.
- Install anti-slip treads on steps and handrails for enhanced safety.
Post-Storm Actions
After a winter storm, it’s good to assess the condition of your exterior property. Here’s a comprehensive post-storm action plan to help protect your business and ensure minimal disruption:
- Inspect and clear away excess fallen branches or debris.
- Check for any visible roof damage.
- Make sure gutters and downspouts are free of obstructions.
- Double-check the integrity of your windows and doors.
- Look for areas with excess snow, ice buildup, or puddling.
- Inspect parking areas to see if they are still readily accessible.
- Assess the condition of basements or lower levels after heavy rains or when the snow starts to melt.
- Keep all vents and exhaust systems free of snow and ice.
- Photograph and document any damage incurred.
- Verify all emergency exits are clear.
- Communicate any necessary closures to customers and employees as soon as possible.
Post-winter storm recovery is all about ensuring the safety of your property, employees, and customers while addressing any damage. By following these steps, you can protect your business from potential hazards and minimize the impact of severe winter weather on your operations. Regular maintenance and preparedness, both before and after a storm, can help your business stay resilient in the face of winter’s challenges.
Creating an Emergency Response Plan
Does your company have an emergency response plan for extreme weather events? Even a moderate snowfall can wreak havoc in areas like Greater Vancouver.
Businesses can create an emergency response plan of their own by assessing potential risks, such as snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and power outages. The plan should include protocols for employee safety, such as remote work arrangements (when possible). It should also outline communication strategies to keep staff informed, procedures for securing critical operations, and steps for mitigating property damage (e.g., winterizing buildings).
Regular training and updating of procedures are vital for ensuring winter preparedness.
Evaluating Performance After Winter Season Ends
After winter ends, it’s good to review the effectiveness of your ice management strategy. Did you encounter problems? Were there areas where the plan fell short? Consider customer complaints or employee feedback.
These insights will allow your business to tweak its snow and ice management approach for the following year.
Conclusion: The Importance of Proactive Planning
Winter preparedness is all about ensuring the safety of your property, employees, and customers while addressing any existing damage promptly to avoid further complications.
By following the steps listed above, you can protect your business from potential hazards and minimize the impact of severe winter weather on your operations. Regular maintenance and preparedness, both before and after a storm, can help your business stay resilient in the face of winter’s challenges.
Is your retail property ready for Mother Nature’s harshest conditions? If not, a consultation with CanWest Property Services will put your mind at ease. We assist businesses throughout Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley with the upkeep of their buildings and lots. Stay prepared this season with our help.