Spring Sweeping: Your First Line of Defense After a Brutal Winter

After months of bitter cold and relentless storms, most of us are ready to move on. But the damage to our properties has been done.

When East Coast Industrial Services (ECIS) Operations Manager Bryan Presutti reflects on Winter Storm Fern, which dumped 30 inches of snow on the Hudson Valley in late January, he still shivers. “That was scary,” Presutti said. “It was one of the most intense storms I’ve ever worked in, and I’ve been doing this for 18 years.”

In addition to the snowfall, it was the longest cold stretch in several years, with highs near 19 degrees and overnight lows dipping to minus 2. A salt shortage made matters worse. “Salt prices more than doubled because salt coming in from overseas was all being used by the government for public roads,” Presutti explained.

But drivers turn off those roads into treacherous commercial parking lots and step onto slippery walkways. “We drove by big box stores that looked like war zones, with car accidents and shoppers slipping and falling,” he said.

ECIS takes seriously its responsibility to keep properties safe. The team secured salt before the storm and stayed in close communication with customers, recommending snow relocation to improve visibility and reduce accidents. This winter reinforced the value of preparation. “People roll the dice on how the weather is going to be,” Presutti acknowledged. “But a snow contract is an insurance policy, and there is nothing more important than investing in the safety of your customers.”

Now, as the snow melts, the harsh weather and heavy plowing leave visible and hidden damage. “Plowing can lead to cracks in asphalt and potholes, and there’s often water damage beneath the pavement,” Presutti pointed out. Freeze-thaw cycles expand cracks. Catch basins clog from melting snow and rain. With higher salt use and sand layered across many properties, debris can erode pavement and create hazards.

Act NOW to Protect Your Property and Keep Your Customers Safe

Professional sweeping at the end of winter removes abrasive materials and clears basins before spring rains intensify problems. By choosing to proactively address the parking lot problems that winter’s onslaught has caused, you set yourself up for easier, more effective upkeep the rest of the year and prolong the life of your pavement to get the best return on your investment.

Plus, first impressions matter. The condition of your parking lot is the first thing people notice when they visit your property. Whether they’re current or potential renters or customers, curb appeal does not go unnoticed and can be a deal-breaker in some cases.

Most importantly, a clean lot is a safe lot. When you address the issues affecting how your lot looks and functions, you create an environment where clients and customers can navigate safely, and that attention shows that you care!