When summer comes, there are a few things in St. Louis you can count on. Lots of 90°+ temperatures, Fourth of July celebrations, fish fries, and another enjoyable season of watching the Cubs suffer crushing defeat.
And let’s not forget about summer storms. Extreme temperatures can usher in violent storms that can cause severe damage to your commercial property. Fallen branches, water erosion, uprooted shrubs, and debris scattered around your property will need to be cleaned up quickly as to not cause further damage or create a safety hazard on your property.
After a storm, you need to get back to business as usual. Lawns may be repaired, plants may have to be replaced, and tree damage should be assessed.
Liability Factor
Even small amounts of debris can be considered hazardous and if someone gets hurt, you would be held legally responsible. What if there was a large dead branch left in a tree after the storm and it falls and injures someone or falls on a car? Just as you are responsible for adequate clean up after a winter snowstorm, you responsible to clean up after a summer storm.
Repairing Your Landscape
Damage from harsh storms may not be as obvious as branches and leaves strewn around the property. When a storm dumps a lot of water, it can flood areas and cause soil erosion which can lead to further flooding or damage to your landscaping. Any plants that were lost or shrubs that were uprooted should be repaired and replaced to keep erosion from getting worse the next time. The roots of trees, shrubs, and plants hold onto and anchor the soil and without them, soil washes away which makes it more difficult to plant in the future or you may have to have more soil brought in which is a cost you can prevent. If some turf is too heavily damaged, re-sodding may be required.
Planning Ahead
By having your commercial property’s maintained regularly, you can prevent at least some of the damage done in strong summer storms. High winds tend to bring down rotting branches. Having your trees pruned periodically will remove dead or dying branches and leave the strong ones that can withstand a storm. Thinning the canopy can reduce the amount of debris that falls during a storm. If your property has some smaller trees that may not survive harsh weather, they should be braced to help keep them standing. Retaining walls can be helpful in areas that regularly fall victim to erosion in rainstorms.
The most effective way to weather the summer storms is to have a reliable, professional landscape company to back you up. At Bluegrass Landscaping and Snow Management, we provide all the services you need to keep your commercial landscape looking clean and professional even after the harshest summer storms. We believe in quality work, quality products, and quality people to ensure client satisfaction. We’re proud to be one of the top commercial landscapers in the St. Louis area. To see what we have to offer, visit our website or give us a call at (314) 770-2828.
