Snow is visible. Ice is what actually sends people to the hospital. Durham Region winters cycle constantly through freeze-thaw — daytime melt refreezing into black ice overnight — and January rain-on-frozen-ground events that turn every surface into a rink. Our salting and ice control service keeps driveways, walkways, and small commercial surfaces safely walkable between snowfalls.
What we apply and when
We use a combination of rock salt, treated salt for colder temperatures, and calcium/magnesium chloride blends where standard salt stops working (rock salt loses effectiveness below roughly -10°C — a fact most homeowners discover the hard way in a February cold snap). For households with dogs and cats, we offer pet-safe ice melt that won’t burn paws or harm lawns and garden beds.
Applications happen in three situations: as a finishing step after snow clearing, as standalone visits during freeze-thaw cycles and freezing rain, and on a preventative basis before forecast ice storms — pre-treatment is dramatically more effective than trying to melt ice after it has bonded to the surface.
Residential and small commercial
Homeowners use this service most for sloped driveways, north-facing walkways that never see winter sun, and steps. Small businesses — storefronts, medical and dental offices, churches, restaurants — use scheduled salting to manage slip-and-fall liability. For a commercial property that is not theoretical: winter slip claims are among the most common insurance actions against small businesses in Ontario, and documented, scheduled ice control is the strongest defence. See our commercial snow removal service.
Why not just buy a bag of salt?
You can — and for one set of steps, you should. Customers hire us for the parts that are hard to do yourself: knowing when to apply (before the freeze, not after), using the right product for the temperature, covering slopes and large surfaces evenly, and showing up during the 6 a.m. freeze while the driveway is still a rink. Seasonal ice-control customers never have to watch the overnight forecast again.
Frequently asked questions
Is salt bad for my driveway and lawn?
Over-application of cheap rock salt can damage concrete and grass. We calibrate application rates and use concrete-safe and pet-safe products where appropriate — usually less total product than a homeowner pours from a bag.
Do you do one-time visits during ice storms?
Yes, subject to route availability — seasonal customers get priority during freezing rain events. If an ice storm is forecast, call before it starts.
What temperature does salt stop working?
Standard rock salt: around -10°C. Below that we switch to treated salt or chloride blends effective to -25°C and colder.
Call or text (289) 312-7550 for a free ice-control quote — or add salting to any snow clearing plan.