When you hire snow removal, the equipment that shows up matters as much as the price. The right machine depends on how big the area is and what the surface is made of. Here is how the options compare, and how PWW clears driveways.
Snowblowers and plastic-edged shovels
Best for standard single, double and triple driveways, front walks, steps and decks. A snowblower throws the snow clear of the driveway instead of pushing it into a bank at the edge, and a plastic-edged shovel cleans up along the garage door, the edges and around steps without scraping the surface.
- Clears right to the edges, so the driveway stays full width all winter.
- No steel edge on sealcoat, pavers, stamped concrete or composite decks.
- Slower per square metre than a machine, which is why it suits smaller areas.
Skid steers, loaders and truck plows
Best for acreage drives, long rural approaches, turnarounds and large parking pads. These machines move a lot of snow quickly and can stack it out of the way, which a snowblower can't do on a long drive.
- Fast on big, open areas.
- Can push and stack heavy, packed snow.
- Less precise along edges, so the operator has to know where the edges and obstacles are.
What PWW uses where
Standard driveways and walks are cleared with snowblowers and plastic-edged shovels. Larger areas are cleared with a skid steer, a loader or a plow on a truck. Acreage and long drives are quoted per property, and every season plan runs October 15 to April 15 with unlimited clearings after every snowfall of 5 cm or more.
Protecting your surface
- Mark the edges with stakes before the ground freezes, so whoever clears the driveway can see where it ends.
- Tell your contractor about paver edging, garden beds, a low step or a sprinkler head under the snow line.
- Keep metal off the sidewalk. Grande Prairie Traffic Bylaw C-1166 s. 38.3 says not to damage a sidewalk with a shovel, pick or other metal tool.
- Choose a pet-safe de-icer if you have dogs. PWW's pet-safe de-icing add-on is $249 a season plus GST.
Before you sign with anyone, check what equipment they use on your property, along with the trigger depth and what's included. The snow removal contract checklist covers the rest. To see your price, use the snow removal cost calculator.
FAQ
Will a plow damage my driveway?
A steel blade can scrape sealcoat, chip paver edges and catch on uneven concrete, especially when the surface is uneven or the operator can't see the edge. On standard driveways PWW uses snowblowers and plastic-edged shovels, so no steel edge touches the surface.
What does PWW use on a standard driveway?
Snowblowers and plastic-edged shovels on standard single, double and triple driveways and walks. Larger areas, such as acreage drives and big parking pads, are cleared with a skid steer, a loader or a plow on a truck.
Can I use a metal shovel or ice chopper on the sidewalk in Grande Prairie?
City of Grande Prairie Traffic Bylaw C-1166 s. 38.3 says a sidewalk must not be damaged with a shovel, pick or other metal instrument when clearing snow or ice. A plastic-edged shovel avoids that problem.
Is the de-icer pet-safe?
Yes. PWW's de-icing add-on is pet-safe and costs $249 per season plus GST.