The beginning of a new year is usually characterized by a lot of snowfall in North America. As simple as it may sound, snow removal is one of the most hectic jobs one can do. It is both physically exhausting as well as expensive. The process needs to be done immediately after a snowfall to make traveling by foot or vehicle easier and safer. When in need of professional companies for snow removal Woodbridge Ontario is the best place to visit.
Snow removal is usually the responsibility of the municipal authorities when it happens in towns and other places under the jurisdiction of the municipal government. However, snow clearing remains the duty of the homeowner if it happens in the home. This is a problem that people are faced with every year. As such, several methods have been invented to help with the problem.
There are several factors that determine what clearing method is used. For instance, there are removal methods that are suitable for large areas such as cities and those suitable for small backyards. De-icing is a method applied after a snowfall has already occurred. Anti-icing on the other hand is done during or prior to a snowfall.
Anti-icing as a strategy for controlling ice involves treatment of surfaces with chemicals that melt ice to delay or prevent ice formation. It also prevents adherence of ice onto surfaces. Brine is among the chemicals used for prevention of ice formation. It is applied on surfaces right before a storm occurs. When applied in the right way, the quantity used can be significantly lowered while clearing of ice using mechanical methods can be made much easier.
Traditionally, salt is the main agent used to de-ice roads. Snowplows and other kinds of vehicles are sued to spread the salt on surfaces. Salt is used in combination with sand or gravel. Since salt is easily available and very cheap, it is the best choice to use.
However, salt is not without its own limitations. First it is completely ineffective at temperatures below -18 degree centigrade. This is because at such temperatures, even salt water freezes. Under such circumstances, other manual methods such as removal using trucks specifically designed for clearing ice can be used.
Sodium chloride (salt) has also been determined to cause rusting and corrosion in steel. Therefore, it corrodes steel in vehicles and rebar in concrete bridges, making it less preferable. Other kinds of salts have proved to be better compared to sodium chloride salt. Such salts include magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which lower the freezing temperature of water and also produce an exothermic reaction that melts snow.
Although magnesium and calcium chloride lead to reduced corrosion in steel and iron and they lower freezing point in water, they are still harmful to the environment. With tons of salt being poured on the roads every year, the characteristics of the soil are changed. Such soils cannot support plant life because they are too salty. Research into chemicals that are more eco-friendly is ongoing.
To arrange for quick snow removal Woodbridge Ontario residents can get in touch with the following landscapers. Here is the relevant contact info at http://riverviewlandscaping.ca.