As the name suggests snow removal means removing the scattered snow from the surface to make it easier for the people for transport. Both mechanical and chemical methods can be employed for snow removal.

Snow removal includes de-icing and anti-icing. De-icing refers to removal of existing snow on road by employing mechanical and chemical ways. On the other hand anti-icing means pre-treating the road, sidewalks, etc. before a storm to avoid formation of ice on them.

The traditional way of anti-icing involves use of salts which is spread with the help of a snow plow or dump truck. Sodium chloride is used as it is cheap and is found in adequate. But as salt water has a tendency to freeze at -18 degree Centigrade, it becomes useless when the temperature goes below this point. Moreover salt also causes corrosion through rusting of the steel used in cars and bridges.

Where there is light snow, broom sticks may be used just to brush off the snow from the sidewalks. In places where there is more precipitation snow shovel are used to push the snow off and lift it. It is larger but light weighted. These are mainly done by individuals.

In places where snow fall is a regular matter snow contractors take the work of cleaning the roads. Snow contractors are companies who provide services for snow removal. These companies may work on per-time basis or on full contract. They also provide services on will-call status.

Snow removal is also done by the owners of buildings and lands. Snow is also removed by the municipalities and government bodies. Cities do snow removal on a larger scale than individuals. They use larger equipments for snow removal like Caterpillar tracks, dump trucks, etc. The best way of removing snow is using pretreatment. It reduces or avoids snow formation and hence the labor or cost of removing accumulated snow from the roads is reduced.