Wet Snow Removal

What This Service Involves

The lowlands around Puget Sound rarely see light powder; instead we get dense, wet Cascade snow that falls near the freezing mark and carries enormous weight. This saturated snow is far harder to move than dry snow and quickly turns to slush and then ice once foot and vehicle traffic compress it. Our equipment and blade setups are matched to the weight of maritime snow so we can clear it efficiently in a single organized pass. We remove it promptly because wet snow left overnight in our climate almost always refreezes into a solid, slippery mass.

Benefits

Equipment tuned for the dense, water-heavy snow our region actually gets; Efficient single-pass clearing that beats slush and compaction; Prompt removal that prevents the overnight refreeze wet snow causes; Reduced strain on surfaces from the extra weight of saturated snow

Our Process

1) Assess snow moisture content and depth on arrival; 2) Clear drive and walk surfaces before traffic compacts the wet layer; 3) Break up and remove any slush already forming underfoot; 4) Apply deicer to guard against the refreeze wet snow tends to leave

What Affects the Cost

Depth and water content of the accumulated snow; Weight-driven equipment demands for moving saturated snow; Speed of clearing needed before compaction sets in; Deicer required to prevent refreeze after removal; Overall size and layout of the surfaces to be cleared

Best Time of Year

Wet snow events are common from late November through February whenever lowland temperatures hover right around the freezing mark during Pacific storms.