Maintaining walkways in Northern Ontario winters requires careful snow removal techniques, appropriate ice management products, and an understanding of how freeze-thaw cycles affect different walkway materials. The wrong approach — metal shovels on pavers, rock salt on natural stone, or power washing ice off concrete — can cause more damage in one winter than years of foot traffic. Martin Services builds walkways across Powassan, North Bay, and surrounding communities that are designed for winter durability, and we advise every client on proper winter maintenance for their specific walkway material.
Snow Removal Best Practices
Use a plastic shovel or rubber-edged snow pusher on paver and natural stone walkways — never a metal blade, which can chip paver surfaces and catch on uneven joints, prying stones loose. For concrete walkways, a standard snow shovel works but should be angled to avoid gouging. Clear snow promptly after each snowfall rather than letting it compact into ice, which is much harder to remove safely. In the Powassan and North Bay area, where snow can fall from November through April, staying on top of walkway clearing prevents the ice buildup that causes the most damage and the greatest slip hazard.
Ice Management Products
Not all de-icing products are safe for all walkway materials. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the cheapest option but is the most damaging — it can pit concrete surfaces, discolour natural stone, and corrode the metal edging used on some walkway installations. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are less damaging alternatives that work at lower temperatures, which matters in Northern Ontario where winter temperatures regularly drop below the effective range of rock salt. Sand or fine gravel provides traction without any chemical damage risk, though it requires cleanup in spring. Martin Services recommends calcium chloride or sand for paver and natural stone walkways installed in our service area.
Spring Assessment
After every Northern Ontario winter, walkways should be assessed for frost heaving, shifted pavers, cracked stones, or joint sand washout. Frost heave is the most common issue — individual pavers or stone sections can lift when the ground freezes and thaws unevenly. Most minor heaving self-corrects as the ground fully thaws and settles, but pavers that remain noticeably raised create trip hazards and should be reset. Martin Services offers spring walkway assessments and repairs for properties across the Nipissing District. With 35 years of experience, we build walkways with the base depth and drainage needed to minimize frost heave in the first place.
Need walkway installation or repair? Call Martin Services at (249) 506-9211 for a free estimate.