Preventing Plow Damage to Your Property

Snow plow damage to driveways, curbs, and landscaping is common but largely preventable — a combination of preparation and communication with your service provider minimizes the risk.

Snow Removal Services

Snow plow damage to driveways, curbs, and landscaping is common but largely preventable — a combination of preparation and communication with your service provider minimizes the risk.

Driveway markers are the most effective preventive measure. Brightly coloured stakes placed along the edges of driveways, at curb lines, and around any landscape features near the pavement zone give plow operators clear visual guidance for equipment positioning. Install markers before the first snowfall and leave them in place throughout the season.

Winter Preparedness Tips

Hidden hazards are the primary cause of plow damage. Objects buried under snow — garden hose connections, irrigation heads, decorative edging stones, low landscape lighting — are struck or scooped by plow blades because they're invisible under snow cover. Remove or clearly mark these items before winter to eliminate the risk.

Rubber-edge plow blades cause significantly less damage to paved surfaces than steel cutting edges. Rubber edges flex over surface irregularities rather than gouging them, and are less likely to chip or crack asphalt edges and concrete expansion joints. Request rubber-edge equipment for your property if surface condition is a concern.

D&D Snow Services Coverage

Speed control adjacent to landscape elements: plow damage most frequently occurs when plows travel at speed near landscape beds, curb stones, or decorative elements. A verbal or written request to operators to slow when approaching sensitive areas is a simple and often effective preventive measure.

Post-storm damage reporting: if damage occurs during a snow removal visit, report it promptly in writing to your service provider. Most reputable contractors address documented damage claims from the current season; claims raised months after an incident are harder to verify and less likely to be honoured.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Snow Services

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Snow Services, providing reliable residential and commercial snow removal across Waterloo Region.