Specialty snow & ice · Barrie & nearby
Ice breaking & removal.
When snow has packed down and frozen into a rough, rutted layer of ice, a plow just rides over it. We break it up and clear it back to a safe surface.
The problem
Ice that won’t go away on its own.
In Barrie, a few freeze–thaw cycles are all it takes. Tire tracks and foot traffic compact the snow, meltwater refreezes on top, and before long there’s a thick, uneven sheet of ice bonded to the driveway, the walkway or the lot. Salt barely touches it and regular plowing leaves it behind.
We remove it properly: breaking up the built-up layer, clearing it off the surface and treating what’s left so it doesn’t refreeze. We work carefully around interlock, concrete, asphalt, edges and drains so the surface underneath isn’t damaged.
- Driveways, lanes and parking pads
- Walkways, steps and entrances
- Commercial lots and loading areas
- Ruts, ridges and ice dams at the end of the driveway
What’s included
Cleared back to a safe surface.
Breaking up bonded ice
Thick and rutted ice broken into manageable pieces with the right tools for the surface underneath.
Clearing & removal
Broken ice and packed snow cleared off the surface and moved where it won’t cause problems.
Surface-aware work
Care taken on interlock, stamped or broom-finished concrete, asphalt and around drains and edges.
Salting & treatment
The cleared surface treated so meltwater doesn’t turn straight back into ice.
Walkways & steps
Entrances, landings and steps cleared where slips are most likely.
One-time or ongoing
Book a single cleanup or add ice control to seasonal service.
The layers
What we take off.
Fresh snow is the easy part. The bonded ice underneath is what a regular visit misses — and the layer we’re here for.
- 01Fresh snow
What a plow or blower clears on a normal visit.
- 02Built-up ice
Compacted snow and freeze–thaw layers bonded to the surface. Plows ride over it; we break it up and remove it.
- 03Driveway surface
Asphalt, concrete or interlock — cleared back to a safe surface without gouging it.
- 04Base
Still frozen below. Clearing ice early lets meltwater drain instead of refreezing.
When to call
Signs the ice has taken over.
Ruts you can’t drive through
Deep, frozen tire ruts that jolt the car and trap snow every storm.
A shiny sheet by the door
Walkways and steps that stay slick even after salting.
Meltwater refreezing overnight
Water that runs across the driveway during the day and freezes at night.
Ice ridges at the end of the driveway
Compacted windrow and plow ridges frozen into a hard lip.
How it works
How an ice removal visit works.
- Step 01
Tell us about it
Send a few details or photos: the surface, how thick the ice is and where it’s worst.
- Step 02
Quote & timing
A clear quote and a time that works — one visit or ongoing.
- Step 03
Break & clear
Ice broken up, cleared off and moved where it can melt safely.
- Step 04
Treat & check
Surface treated to slow refreezing, and the job walked before we leave.
Service area
Barrie and nearby towns.
Ice removal is part of our snow & ice service area around Barrie.
Questions
Good to know.
Will breaking up the ice damage my driveway?
We choose tools and methods for the surface underneath and work carefully around interlock, concrete, asphalt, edges and drains. If a surface is already damaged, we’ll point it out before we start.
Can you come once, without a seasonal contract?
Yes. Ice removal can be booked as a one-time visit or added to ongoing seasonal service.
How much does ice removal cost?
It depends on the area, how thick the ice is and the surface. Send us a few details or photos for a free quote.
Do you do commercial lots?
Yes — parking lots, entrances, loading areas and sidewalks. See our commercial snow & ice page.
Are you insured?
Yes, we’re fully insured.
Get your driveway back.
Send a few details or photos and we’ll quote ice removal — one visit or ongoing.
Prefer email? greatnorthoutdoor@gmail.com