Snow you can see. Ice you often can't. That's what makes ice management — separately from snow plowing — such a critical part of winter property care. Whether ice has already formed and needs to be broken up, or you want a pre-treatment to prevent it from forming in the first place, Snow Pushers handles it.
What Is Black Ice and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on pavement when snow melts during the day and refreezes at night, or when freezing rain or fog deposits a glaze. Because it's clear, you can't see it — and because it's smooth, there's almost zero friction to keep you from slipping. Black ice is responsible for the majority of winter slip-and-fall injuries in Chicago, and a meaningful share of car accidents.
For property owners, this matters legally. If someone is injured on black ice on your property, you can face significant liability — especially if you didn't take reasonable steps to manage ice formation.
Our De-Icing Approach
1. Pre-Treatment (Anti-Icing)
Before a storm arrives, we apply salt or brine to surfaces. This prevents snow and ice from bonding directly to the pavement. After the storm, plowing is more effective — and refreeze is less likely. Pre-treatment costs less than reactive de-icing.
2. Ice Breaking and Removal
When ice has already formed — especially after a freezing-rain event or several freeze-thaw cycles — physical removal may be needed. Our crews use ice-breaking tools and shovels in combination with chemical melt agents to break the ice loose and remove it from the surface.
3. Targeted De-Icing Application
Standard salt doesn't work below ~15°F. In extreme cold, we use calcium chloride or magnesium chloride blends that remain effective at much lower temperatures. We apply where it matters most: walkways, entrances, parking spots, ADA-accessible routes, and steps.
4. Documentation
For commercial clients, we document each de-icing visit. If a slip-and-fall claim arises, this documentation can demonstrate that you took reasonable preventive measures — a key factor in legal liability defense.
When De-Icing Service Is Most Critical
After Plowing
Even after snow is removed, a thin film of moisture remains. As temperatures drop overnight, that moisture refreezes into a treacherous glaze. De-icing immediately after plowing prevents this.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Chicago's winters often swing through 30s during the day to teens at night. Each cycle melts and refreezes snow, building up ice layers on walkways and parking lots. De-icing breaks the cycle.
Shaded Areas
The north sides of buildings, areas under awnings, gangways, and shaded parking spots stay icy long after sunlit areas clear. Targeted de-icing prevents these from becoming hidden hazards.
Steps, Stairs, and Entrances
Anywhere there's a change in elevation, ice creates outsize risk. We pay special attention to stairs, ramps, threshold transitions, and ADA-accessible entrances — the locations where a slip causes the most serious injury.
Property Types We Serve
- Residential homes — walkways, entrances, steps, and driveways
- Commercial properties — entrances, sidewalks, parking lots, ADA routes
- Multi-tenant buildings — common-area walkways and parking
- Medical and dental offices — high-traffic patient access points
- Restaurants and retail — customer-facing walkways and entrances
- Car dealerships — pedestrian routes through the inventory lot
Ready to eliminate the ice risk on your property? Get a free de-icing quote or call (773) 299-9203.