The weather will warm up (slightly) and it’s likely the 15-odd centimetres of downfall will be mostly gone by the middle of next week (aside from the annoying bits that never seem to melt), but residential snow removal season has officially begun. We are excited to begin yet another season of helping our fellow Calgarians get through the winter accident-free. As a family owned-and-operated business, we have been building our reputation for three generations, and are proud of our commitment to our communities and the people we serve. We think of our clients as members of our family, and our standards of service are the highest in the snow removal business. It’s our mandate to leave every property as a safe place to live and visit.
Ok, it’s not as cold as it could be, but it has been a slippery, icy, mess this past week. The snow came down fast and furious on Monday, through until Tuesday, which left a lot of people scrambling to find scrapers and brushes to clean off their cars and digging shovels out from somewhere in the garage (if you ever even bothered to put it away).
Snow removal is not an expense: It’s an investment
Last year was one of Calgary’s top ten snowiest meteorological winters on record, with roughly 82.6 centimetres falling at the Calgary International Airport. For reference, in 2021/22 snow accumulation was at 61.7 centimetres, in 2020/21 81.1 centimetres of snow fell, and 2019/20 was an easy year with only 45.9 centimetres.
In the last ten years, only 2017/18 has beaten last winter, with 86.5 centimetres of accumulation.
What this tells us at Mirage (and what was hinted at recently), is that we can’t rely on the relatively common snow/melt cycle that we often get in the city. We have been getting a lot more snow than we would qualify as “usual” these days, and it’s getting harder and harder for the average homeowner to keep up with.
Liability for slip-and-falls
One of the most significant concerns during the winter months in Calgary is the risk of slip and fall accidents due to icy sidewalks, pathways, and driveways. Homeowners are legally responsible for maintaining safe walking areas around their properties. If someone slips and falls on your property due to inadequate snow and ice removal, you could be held liable for any resulting injuries. Albertans are the most likely to end up in the hospital due to a slip and fall, and injuries can be serious, often requiring surgery.
Professional residential snow removal eliminates these concerns. We 100% guarantee the quality of our work, and will never leave your property with any potential hazards. We have the skills, knowledge, tools, equipment, and manpower necessary to keep your property free of snow and ice and without concerns of accidents.
City bylaws are hard to adhere to
The City of Calgary has established specific bylaws regarding snow removal, which are meant to help keep citizens safe and emergency rooms from clogging up. Under these bylaws, homeowners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of the snowfall ending. Failure to do so can result in fines and penalties, such as $250 to the property occupant for a first offence, $500 for a second offence, and $750 for a third offence and each offence thereafter within a 12-month period. Compliance with these bylaws is essential to avoid legal consequences and to also promote community safety.
Twenty-four hours isn’t a lot of time, especially considering many of us have long commutes to our jobs and tons of after-work commitments. Plus, nobody wants to shovel in the dead of night or first thing in the morning. Hiring a snow removal company frees up a lot of precious time to do more important things.
Snow removal is hard … very hard
Clearing snow and ice can be physically demanding and even dangerous. Shovelling results in thousands of accidents a year, the most common injuries being broken bones from falls, back injuries from improper lifting, and heart attacks from over-exertion. Those over the age of 55 are four times more likely to suffer a heart attack while shovelling.
And don’t forget the extreme cold we have to deal with! There’s frostbite to protect yourself from, and sweating in sub-zero temperatures is a sure way to get sick. Professionals such as us at Mirage know how to dress properly and regulate ourselves when shovelling, and best of all, we actually like what we do.
Let Mirage improve your winter with professional snow removal services
Hiring a professional snow removal company is a practical and sensible choice that allows homeowners to adhere to both city bylaws and be considerate of the health and safety of their families and those who visit their property. We offer expertise, efficiency, and peace of mind, ensuring that you can navigate winter’s challenges with less hassle. Safety is always our highest priority, and our services are highly affordable. Contact us for a quick and easy quote today.
