Introduction
You clear your driveway after a snowstorm and everything looks great. Then the city plow comes through and pushes a heavy pile of snow across the end of your driveway.
That pile is called a snow plow berm, and it can quickly turn a clear driveway into a blocked driveway.
At Lambton Lawn, we understand that snow removal doesn’t always end after the first clearing. Municipal plows can create new berms later, and continued snowfall can change conditions throughout the day. That’s why our Snow & Winter Services program includes multiple visits during significant snow events and snow plow berm removal.
In this guide, we’ll explain what snow plow berms are, why they can be difficult to remove, and how Lambton Lawn helps manage them throughout the winter.
In short, a snow plow berm is compacted snow that was pushed by a municipal plow, blocking your driveway. It can become very hard to remove, and even trap your car in the driveway.
Why Snow Plow Berm Removal Matters
A common misconception about snow removal is that once the driveway has been cleared, the job is finished.
That’s not always the case.
There are often two separate sources of snow that can affect your driveway:
Snow that falls on your property
This is the snow that accumulates on your driveway, walkways and entrances. Lambton Lawn clears these areas as part of your snow service.
Snow pushed by a municipal plow
When the roadway is cleared, the city plow pushes snow toward the side of the road. Some of that snow can end up across the entrance to your driveway.
This creates a snow plow berm.
The result can be frustrating: your driveway may be completely clear, but there is still a wall of snow preventing you from getting in or out.
For a broader look at how snow removal works and what to expect throughout the winter, read our Complete Guide to Snow Removal in Sarnia.
How Snow Plow Berms Impact Property Access
A snow berm isn’t always just a small pile of loose snow.
Road snow can become compacted from traffic, municipal plowing and repeated freeze-and-thaw conditions. This can make it much heavier and harder to move than freshly fallen snow.
A berm can:
- Block vehicles from entering or leaving
- Make driveway access difficult
- Block part of a walkway
- Become packed and difficult to shovel
- Freeze solid when temperatures drop
- Get larger when additional snow falls
- Create another obstacle even after the rest of the property has been cleared
This is why snow plow berm removal is an important part of maintaining access throughout the winter.
Common Problems Homeowners Face With Snow Plow Berms
The driveway is clear, but the entrance is blocked
This is probably the most common situation. The driveway itself has been cleared, but the snow pushed in by the road plow creates a new barrier at the entrance.
The berm becomes frozen
If temperatures drop after the snow has been pushed into the driveway, the berm can become hard and compacted. What may have been manageable earlier can become significantly more difficult later.
Another storm arrives
A new snowfall can add more weight to an existing berm. If it isn’t addressed, the problem can continue to build.
There isn’t much room to move the snow
Smaller properties and downtown properties can have limited areas where snow can safely be placed. Snow removal isn’t just about moving snow—it also requires consideration of where that snow can go.
The customer has to keep checking the driveway
With some snow removal services, the customer may feel like they have to check the property after every storm and call when a new problem appears.
That’s not how we want our customers to experience winter.
Expert Tips for Dealing With Snow Plow Berms
1. Don’t wait for the berm to become frozen
Fresh snow is generally easier to move than snow that has been compacted and frozen. Addressing a berm sooner can help prevent a much harder job later.
2. Remember that municipal plowing can create a new problem
Your driveway may be clear when your snow contractor leaves. A municipal plow may come through afterward and create a new berm.
This is one of the reasons multiple visits during significant snow events can be valuable.
3. Think about where snow will be placed
Snow needs somewhere to go. Before winter, consider where snow can safely be piled without blocking entrances, walkways, visibility or drainage areas.
4. Don’t push private-property snow back into the roadway
Moving snow from your driveway back onto the road can create additional problems and interfere with road operations.
5. Don’t assume one visit will handle an entire storm
During a long or heavy snow event, conditions can change several times throughout the day.
Snow can continue falling, roads can be plowed, temperatures can drop and previously cleared areas can become blocked again.
For more information about how Lambton Lawn handles continued snowfall, see [Internal Link: What Happens When Snow Keeps Falling After Your Driveway Is Cleared?].
How Lambton Lawn Handles Snow Plow Berm Removal
At Lambton Lawn, our goal isn’t simply to clear your property once and leave.
Our Snow & Winter Services program is designed to manage changing winter conditions throughout the season.
We Monitor the Weather
Our team watches upcoming weather conditions so we can prepare for significant snowfall, freezing conditions and changing temperatures.
We Make Multiple Visits When Needed
During significant snow events, more than one visit may be required to keep important access areas clear.
We Watch for New Snow Plow Berms
A municipal plow may come through after we’ve already cleared your driveway.
When that happens, a new berm can appear at the end of the driveway.
Our customers shouldn’t have to constantly watch for this themselves.
Our team monitors conditions and, when another visit is required, we can return to address the newly created berm as part of the snow service.
We Use the Right Equipment
Depending on the property and conditions, our team may use:
- Snow plows
- Snow blowers
- Shovels
The goal is to efficiently remove the snow while maintaining access to the areas included in your service.
We Keep the Bigger Picture in Mind
A driveway isn’t truly accessible if a large wall of snow is blocking the entrance.
That’s why snow plow berm removal is included within the agreed-upon service areas of our Snow & Winter Services program.
Why Multiple Visits Matter During a Snow Event
Multiple visits aren’t simply about removing more snow. They’re about responding to changing conditions.
For example:
6:00 AM: Snow has accumulated and Lambton Lawn clears the property.
8:00 AM: A municipal plow clears the roadway and pushes snow across the driveway entrance.
Later that morning: The new berm is identified and the property requires another visit.
This is why a snow removal program that includes multiple visits can provide more value than a service that only clears the property once and considers the job finished.
Winter weather doesn’t always follow a simple schedule.
How Lambton Lawn Can Help With Snow Plow Berm Removal
Lambton Lawn’s Snow & Winter Services program is designed to take the ongoing responsibility of winter snow management off your hands.
Depending on your service agreement, the program includes:
- Snow plowing
- Snow blowing and shoveling
- Parking area clearing
- Walkway and access area clearing
- Snow plow berm removal
- Multiple visits during significant snow events
- Salt applications during freezing conditions
- Before-opening service
- Weather monitoring and readiness
- Equipment availability throughout November–March
Instead of worrying about whether the city plow has created a new berm, our team works to monitor conditions and keep your agreed-upon access areas clear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snow Plow Berms
Does Lambton Lawn remove snow plow berms?
Yes. Snow plow berm removal is included within the agreed-upon service areas of Lambton Lawn's Snow & Winter Services program.
What happens if the city plow creates a berm after Lambton Lawn has already cleared my driveway?
This is one of the reasons our program includes multiple visits during significant snow events. If a municipal plow creates a new berm after the initial clearing, our team monitors conditions and can return to address it when another visit is required.
Do I need to call Lambton Lawn every time a berm appears?
Our goal is to monitor the weather and changing conditions so customers don't have to constantly watch for problems themselves. When another visit is required as part of the service, our team can address newly created berms.
What happens if another snowstorm arrives after the berm is removed?
Winter conditions can change quickly. Additional snowfall may require another visit to maintain access. That's why our program is designed around managing snow events rather than simply providing one clearing.
What is a snow plow berm?
A snow plow berm is the pile or wall of snow pushed toward the side of the road by a municipal snow plow. This snow can accumulate across the entrance of a driveway.
Recap Summary
A snow plow berm can leave a driveway blocked even after the property itself has been cleared. Because municipal plows can create new berms after a snow removal visit, maintaining access throughout winter can require more than a single clearing.
Lambton Lawn’s approach is designed around ongoing winter management. Our Snow & Winter Services program includes multiple visits during significant snow events, snow plow berm removal, weather monitoring and the equipment needed to respond as conditions change.
If you want a snow removal service that looks beyond the first pass and helps manage the changing conditions throughout a winter storm, Lambton Lawn is here to help.
For the complete overview of winter snow removal, read our Complete Guide to Snow Removal in Sarnia.
Don't Let a Snow Plow Berm Block Your Driveway. Try Lambton Lawn's Snow Removal Service
You shouldn’t have to spend your winter watching the weather, checking the street for the city plow and wondering whether your driveway will be blocked again.
Lambton Lawn’s Snow & Winter Services program is designed to keep your important access areas clear throughout the winter, including addressing snow plow berms when additional service is required.
Learn More About Lambton Lawn’s Snow & Winter Services.
Ready to stay worry-free this winter? Contact Lambton Lawn today to learn more about our seasonal snow removal program.