Category Archives: Winter

Keep Icy Walkways Clear Without Damaging the Environment

Written by | on December 12, 2014 | Posted under Winter

Deicers are a necessity of life during the Ontario winter. While a cold, sunny day after a snowfall may be enough to keep a walk that has been carefully shovelled ice free, most of the time you will need some type of salt or deicer to keep ice from reappearing on the walks and driveways of your clients. Unfortunately, lots of deicers have some kind of negative environmental consequences. Here is what you need to know to make the best decision for the needs of your clients.   The Impact of Salt on the Landscape   Rock salt, which is … Continue reading Keep Icy Walkways Clear Without Damaging the Environment →

What Should I Do to My Water Feature Before the Deep Freeze?

Written by | on December 5, 2014 | Posted under Winter

If you have any kind of water feature as part of your home landscape, it’s important to make sure it’s ready for winter weather. Water features and backyard ponds are beautiful and look natural, but without a few basic maintenance tasks, they may not survive until spring. If you have a small, plug-in fountain, the easiest thing to do is disconnect it and drain it before freezing temperatures settle in. For any kind of large water feature, including garden fish ponds, a little more care and effort is needed to keep the fish healthy and the overall system functional. Water … Continue reading What Should I Do to My Water Feature Before the Deep Freeze? →

How to Keep Your Property Clear of Snow and Ice

Written by | on January 5, 2014 | Posted under Winter

Keeping your property clear of snow and ice can be a challenge when the long Ontario winters dump fresh snow every few days or, sometimes, for several days in row. Choosing a good deicer will help, but many times you also have to get out the snow shovel or snow blower and get to work. Here are a few tips for safely keeping your walks and driveway free of ice and snow. Remove Snow Early and Often The less snow you have to remove, the easier your work will be. Take a first pass on your sidewalk and drive when … Continue reading How to Keep Your Property Clear of Snow and Ice →

The Types of Deicers and Their Benefits

Written by | on January 1, 2014 | Posted under Winter

Road salt is a necessary part of winter life in Ontario. It’s not just a matter of convenience, but one of safety. While there are no guarantees, correctly applying the right salt at the right time will lessen the chance of slipping, sliding or falling on the way to your car or mailbox. Choosing the right road salt to use can seem as tricky as navigating an icy walkway. How do you know which road salt is best? Here is a quick overview of the basic types of deicers and the advantages of each. Treated Salt Treated salt as a … Continue reading The Types of Deicers and Their Benefits →

How to Avoid Damaging Pavers During Winter

Written by | on December 30, 2013 | Posted under Winter

Concrete interlocking unit pavers are designed to be extremely resilient and long-lasting. With correct installation and a few simple maintenance precautions, they will last for years and years without problems. The winter season is when a little extra care should be taken with your unit pavers, whether they are on your patio, walkway or driveway. Just as snow and ice and efforts to clear them can be hazardous to us, removal of snow and ice can cause potential problems for pavers. Chemical Deicers and Pavers Deicers are a fact of life in Ontario. Fortunately, concrete pavers are resistant to many … Continue reading How to Avoid Damaging Pavers During Winter →