Area landscapers stepping up to help with snow, ice removal
In the Triangle, landscapers are stepping up to help with snow and ice removal ahead of the impending winter storm.
While most landscapers told WRAL News they're either booked or not doing residential snow removal, if you're looking to hire a crew to clear your sidewalk or driveway — there are still a few options.
The rain washed out Sam Speno's lawn care jobs on Thursday, giving him time to break the winter gear out of storage.
"We're ready. It's going to be cold so we'll have to bundle up but we'll get it done," said Speno.
"We'll not stop until we get everything done," he said.
Speno said he'll put his landscaping equipment to work removing snow and ice.
"They're great for sidewalks, driveways ... all that kind of stuff," he added.
While Speno's three crews will dig out current landscaping clients first, he said there's still opening for new ones.
If you're looking for some lighter help, Sweeps will send a college student. The Triangle-based company connects students with hourly jobs such as moving to yard work and snow shoveling.
"North Carolina snow, it hits hard and then it comes and goes, so getting some quickly and reliably will be a huge asset," said Sweeps marketing manager Alex Averell. "We have 'Sweepers' who help shovel snow and clear ice from cars, basically making sure people can keep their homes safe. Our sweepers will be out and about helping people shovel snow."
Crews at Barefoot Lawn Care in Smithfield are switching out seasonal equipment.
"Some of these trucks actually have tanks on them that we do chemical applications in the lawn, but we've taken all those out and we're switching over to salt brine," said Barefoot Lawn Care owner Scott Reeder.
Reeder said his employees hitting the road on Thursday night to pre-treat parking lots for commercial clients, and plows are lined up at the ready for whatever comes next. He added that supply chain issues have caused problems with getting brine and ice melt. So, he's tapping into leftover ice melt from the past few winters.
"We have ice melt carryover from some years past and we'll be using that, and we'll probably be restocking after this storm," he added.
