What a Late-Night Phone Call Reminded Me About Why We Build Heated

Concrete Systems

By Daniel Flansburg

Colorado’s Heated Concrete Specialist

Founder, Springs Concrete, LLC

A buddy of mine called me after one of our recent Colorado snowstorms. He knows what I do for a living, so he figured I’d appreciate what happened. His kid was sick, and he needed to make a late-night pharmacy run during a whiteout.

Now, if you’ve lived in Colorado long enough, you know what a parking lot looks like during a storm—especially at night. Slick asphalt, icy curbs, salt residue, snow piles shoved into all the wrong places. He was expecting the usual hassle.

But instead, he got something entirely different.

When he pulled in, the spots closest to the store were clear. Not just shoveled or

plowed, but bone dry. He stepped out of his car, walked straight into the store

without slipping once, and said it was the smoothest winter shopping trip he’s ever had.

He didn’t know it at the time—but that store had a heated concrete system. One

we’d designed and installed.

That call reminded me why this work matters.

This Isn’t Just About Snow. It’s About Control.

For years, retail locations across Colorado have relied on snow removal contractors to protect the public. But if you’ve managed a commercial site through a few

winters, you already know the issues:

• Late arrivals

• Missed areas

• Plows damaging curbs or structures

• Inconsistent ice melt

• Liability exposure when someone falls

• And a revolving door of service providers

What heated concrete offers isn’t just convenience—it’s control. With hydronic and electric systems, we’re helping retail developers, property

managers, and engineers create surfaces that think for themselves. When

conditions shift, these systems turn on automatically and maintain a clean, ice-

free surface—no truck needed. They’re deployed in critical areas: storefronts,

ADA parking, cart returns, fire exits, employee walkways, drive-thru lanes, and

high-traffic delivery zones.

The Benefits Retail Clients Tell Us About Again and Again

After the systems go in, we usually do a follow-up. Here’s what we hear most from retail teams:

1. A Drop in Slip-and-Fall Incidents

It’s one of the most consistent benefits. Fewer incidents, fewer reports, and a major

reduction in liability concern.

2. Predictable, Consistent Performance

The system doesn’t show up late or skip a zone. It just works—quietly and

automatically.

3. Smoother Store Operations

Facility and operations managers say storms used to throw their schedules into

chaos. With our systems in place, they stay focused on running the store, not chasing

down snow crews.

4. Cost Savings Over Time

It’s not about saving money on day one. It’s about eliminating repeated seasonal

costs—plow contracts, deicer, floor maintenance, personal injury claims, and

property repair.

5. Happier Customers (Even if They Don’t Know Why)

People notice dry, safe walkways—especially parents with kids, elderly shoppers,

and delivery workers. It makes your store feel more cared for.

6. Clean Energy Integration

Forward-thinking companies are pairing these systems with solar share

investments or carbon credits, reducing their net energy impact while upgrading

infrastructure. We help coordinate that during the planning phase.

7. No Salt, No Residue Without chemical deicers, floors stay cleaner, merchandise near entrances is safer,

and facility maintenance is simpler.

Why I Stand Behind This Work

I’ve spent years in the field, designing and installing snowmelt systems that work.

I’ve seen what happens when you hand control back to the property instead of

outsourcing it to whoever shows up that morning. The difference isn’t subtle. It’s

systemic.

I tell clients the same thing I told that journalist last month:

“The continuity of a heated concrete system consistently

outperforms manual snow removal by delivering uniform, automatic

snow and ice melt without interruption.”

We’re not building luxury features. We’re building functional, durable

infrastructure that protects people and improves operations—even

when no one’s thinking about it.

If you’re managing a retail property in Colorado and you’re tired of storm-

season uncertainty, we should talk. It’s time to expect more from your

concrete.

Check out my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/gf0krBtN6RI , where I talk about commercial heated concrete.