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By the time March rolls around, we all like to think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and snow and ice will soon be just a memory as spring nears.

But, we live in Maine.

It’s just the reality of life in the Northeast: Snowstorms are a real possibility well into March and April. To ease the pain of a late season snowstorm, it helps to be ready to tackle the mess of one. Here are two crucial tips to help you prepare for the inevitable spring storm.

Make sure salt, sand and shovels are easily accessible

Once we have a couple of warm March days, it might be tempting to put the salt and sand away in the back of the garage for next year. Remember though, doing so will just make dealing with a late season storm that much harder. When you already have to deal with snow and ice, why add to the frustration by having to fight your way to the back of the garage before work? Or when you’ve just gotten home from a day at the office? Keep your salt and sand easily accessible until the threat of snow and ice really has passed.

The same goes for shovels – don’t pack them away or leave them out where they might get covered if there is an unexpected storm. Have them ready to grab and ready to go. If you have a snowblower, keep it gassed up and ready to start. The quicker you can get started on clearing snow, the quicker you’ll be done with clearing it away.

Roof maintenance

During the depths of winter in Maine, snow and ice collect quickly on the roof. Both present dangerous and potentially expensive problems if not taken care of, and a late season storm can just exacerbate those problems.

Raking your roof regularly throughout the winter can ensure that a late season storm doesn’t catch you by surprise and cause problems. One square foot of snow weighs about 20 pounds. That quickly adds up to create a dangerous situation with potential for roof damage — or even collapse — as well as an environment where ice dams can easily form.

Ice dams are not only a danger to your property because of their weight (57 pounds for one square foot of ice!) but because they cause backups which cause water to seep through your roof and into your house. As we have warmer days followed by cooler days, melting snow and ice get trapped on your roof; the water freezes again, then melts again, and throughout this process it backs up and you might start seeing leaks in your roof. This isn’t just annoying — it’s expensive, especially when you consider the potential for mold growth on top of the water damage caused.

Taking care of the snow and ice on your roof regularly throughout the winter can help you prevent many headaches when all you want to do is start enjoying the warmer weather.

If you’d prefer to call in the professionals — as well as ensure you don’t have to worry about plowing and snow blowing — contact AC Yard Services to find out how we can help you take care of your property year round.

Shoveling. Snowblowing. Ice chopping. Sanding. It’s a never ending cycle during the winter if you live in Maine. Doesn’t it seem like every morning you have to set your alarm a little extra early, just in case a few inches fell the night before. And then there are the big storms…

If you’re dreading the next few months, we at AC Yard Services have a solution for you. We offer year-round contracts that include snow removal — during and after storms — plus everything your property needs to look its best the whole year.

Now, you may be wondering why we are already mentioning lawn mowing and leaf raking when there’s a layer of snow on the ground and ponds are still frozen solid. You may not realize it, but winter is actually the best time to think about your year-round property maintenance needs. See, it’s all about convenience and peace of mind. Allow us to explain.

Put winter weather worries to bed

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, the kids need to catch the bus, plus you have an 8 a.m. conference call to go over the company’s earnings forecast. The alarm goes off and you flip on the morning news. To your surprise, you hear Channel 6’s iconic Storm Center theme and immediately make a beeline to the window. A surprise storm hit overnight.

If you have a year-round contract with us, this wouldn’t be an issue. You would already be on our plowing route, and you wouldn’t have to think twice about calling us and arranging for the plow to arrive. Plus, with our contracts, we also take care of the details, like shoveling and sanding. That way, your entire property is safe and sound for your family.

Get your few extra minutes of sleep, get the kids ready for school and be at your best for the conference call — even if you weren’t expecting the overnight snowstorm.

Have questions about our services? Contact owner Justin Hayden today by calling (207) 712-5554 or by email.

Keep your business open, even during the storm

Here’s another scenario: You are the proprietor of your hometown’s favorite coffee shop. Maintenance workers, teachers, police officers, pretty much the whole community starts their day by coming through your doors. When 5 a.m. comes, the line will have already formed before your “open” sign is fully illuminated. But on days when the snowfall is more overwhelming than the morning rush, your responsibilities also begin to pile up.

Not if you sign up for one of our commercial contracts, however.

Our services are designed to keep your business property clear and safe for your customers and clients. Plus, you won’t have to worry about having to show up even earlier than usual to clear the snow yourself.

And we’ll even go up on the roof for you, too. As the winter progresses and snow starts to pile up on your building, it becomes ever more important to get the weight off. Snow and ice on your roof can cause structural damage to the building, but can also pose a danger to people below if it starts sliding off in large pieces. We don’t know many people who take their coffee with a lump to the head caused by an icicle…

Spend spring, summer and fall enjoying your lawn — not working on it

As Mainers, we know that yardwork just never seems to end. It’s especially fun when winter leaves us with a longer-than-normal muddy season…

If you lock into a year-round contract, though, you can go right ahead and mark all of your yard chores complete. We’ll put together a plan to tackle that seemingly endless list of tasks, giving you free time to actually enjoy your property or focus on the more pressing details of your life. Just imagine, a full summer where you get to kick back, host friends and enjoy your lawn — no mud either! Sounds pretty nice.

Maine is a beautiful place to live, and we at AC Yard Services certainly love it. But to get to the beautiful Maine summers, you have to live through the winters. We can help you get through it a little bit easier by taking care of the snow removal on your property.