Getting your driveway ready for winter

The first storm always arrives sooner than it feels like it should. A few minutes of prep now makes every visit faster and keeps your property safe.

Mark the edges. Put driveway stakes along both sides and at any curves, about every 10 to 15 feet. Once snow covers the lawn line, stakes are how the crew knows where pavement ends.

Clear the path. Move hoses, planters, kids' toys and decorations off the driveway and walkways. Anything buried under snow can damage equipment or get damaged itself.

Flag the hazards. Low walls, sprinkler heads, drain grates and landscape lighting near the edge should be marked or noted in your account so we steer around them.

Think about parking. On storm days, cars left in the middle of the driveway mean we can only clear around them. If you can, park to one side or in the garage.

Tell us what's changed. New fence, new gate code, new dog? Send it to support so the crew has it before the season starts.