Dashing through the snow might be fun in a one-horse open sleigh, but it’s much less enjoyable piling up in your driveway. You used to be able to rely upon youngsters offering to shovel your driveway for a few dollars. If your neighborhood is short on enterprising teens, you’ll have to handle things yourself. That’s why when snow appears on the weather forecast, there is a rush for ice melters, usually rock salt, and thin metal or plastic shovels. Don’t be in that crowd. With the right tools and techniques, you’ll make short work of shoveling and you can enjoy the winter scene from indoors.
Before It Snows
- Do you know where your property begins and ends? Could you identify these boundaries under several inches of snow? Find or create markers tall enough to be seen above the snow.
- Before winter begins, get a high-quality ice melter, such as MAG Ice Melting Pellets.
- Examine your shovel carefully before you buy. You may be tempted to get a shovel with a deep scoop. The weight of wet snow on a deep scoop is unwieldy and places greater strain on the back. A shovel scoop should be sturdy enough not to bend under the weight of wet snow, and have sides that will hold snow until you are ready to dump it out. The handle should be longer than most garden shovels, but not quite as long as most garden rakes.
- A snow blower can save you some work if you are familiar with its power source. Stock up on fuel or charge the battery before the snow begins to fall. If you have a corded snow blower, make sure you have enough cord to reach the end of your driveway, plus several feet to maneuver.
As The Snow Fall Begins
- Sprinkle a thin layer of ice melter, such as Peladow Calcium Chloride Pellets, just as the snow begins to fall. This will help prevent ice forming as the snow falls, which can be crucial if the temperature drops as the snow falls.
- Decide how frequently you plan to shovel. If you have a bad back or the snow is wet, going out to shovel more frequently can prevent back strain. But if your street is plowed, some of the snow you shoveled off of your driveway may wind up back where it started.
- If you have a snow blower, map out your snow removal strategy. Snow blowers aren’t picky about where the snow winds up, so if you’re not aware of how far or in which direction the snow blower will blow, you might blow snow onto the patch you just cleared.
After The Snow Fall Has Ceased
- Remove the last of the snow and sprinkle on another layer of ice melter.
- Make sure that you haven’t shoveled or blown snow onto your neighbor’s property.
- Assess the quality of your shovel. You may need more than one for different types of snow, or prefer a different shape for certain areas.
Your snow removal strategy may change from season to season, or even during a single winter. We’ve got the tools and the know-how to help you respond to whatever winter brings. We’re happy to help with any snow removal concerns you have.
