When winter arrives, heavy snow may inevitably follow. While it looks beautiful, snow often disrupts our daily lives and, in severe cases, threatens our safety. If not dealt with promptly and properly, it can cause many problems. Therefore, we’ve put together this ultimate snow removal guide to provide you with tips and advice to help you tackle snow removal and safely navigate through the winter season.
Why Snow Removal Is Essential
Snow removal is not just a routine task, as it directly impacts our safety, property, and convenience. Here are some of the key reasons snow removal should be a priority:
Preventing Slips and Falls: Snow and ice on driveways, sidewalks, and stairs can cause slips or falls, creating serious risks of injury. Clearing pathways reduces this risk.
Avoiding Property Damage: If thick snow accumulates on the roof and is not cleared, the weight may cause the roof to collapse. Additionally, the garden and plants can be damaged by the heavy snow.
Maintaining Accessibility: Clearing driveways, sidewalks, and entryways ensures that family, friends, and neighbors can safely access your home.
When Should You Start Snow Removal?
Timing is crucial when it comes to snow removal. Generally, the sooner you start, the easier and more effective the task will be. Here are some guidelines on when to begin snow removal:
After Every Snowfall: Removing snow immediately after it falls is most effective, as fresh snow is easier to clear than packed snow.
Before It Freezes: If snow is left to sit too long, it can freeze and become much harder to remove. Try to clear snow before it turns into ice.
After Ice Storms: After an ice storm, roads are hazardous due to thick ice. You can use salt or sand to speed up the melting process of the ice.
Snow Removal Tools You Need
Whether you're clearing snow from a driveway, sidewalk, or stairs, using the right tools can significantly improve your efficiency. Here are some recommended snow removal tools:
Shovel: A sturdy and lightweight shovel is essential for clearing smaller areas like driveways, sidewalks, and doorways.
Snow Blower: Snow blowers come in single-stage and two-stage models. Single-stage blowers are suitable for light snow, while two-stage blowers are better for deep snow accumulation.
Ice Melt: Salt or eco-friendly ice melt helps accelerate ice melting. You can spread it on driveways, sidewalks, or entryways before or after snowstorms to prevent ice formation.
Roof Rake: A roof rake is used to remove snow from the roof to prevent roof collapses and damage.
Snow Shoveling Gloves: Wearing a pair of snow shoveling gloves keeps your hands warm and protected from injury while clearing snow.
Snow Removal Tips for Efficiency
Snow removal can be a strenuous task, but with the right approach, it can be more manageable. Here are some efficiency tips for snow removal:
Dress in Layers: Wear warm and comfortable clothes to allow for smooth snow removal.
Start Early: Try to clear snow as soon as it starts to accumulate to prevent it from turning into packed snow, which is harder to remove.
Use the Right Technique: When shoveling, use your legs to lift the snow rather than your back. This reduces the risk of injury and strain.
Don’t Forget the Steps: In addition to the driveway and sidewalks, don’t forget to clear snow from stairs, ensuring that visitors or emergency services can reach your home safely.
Layer Salt or Ice Melt: Spread salt or ice melt on driveways, sidewalks, and entryways before or after snowfalls to prevent ice build-up and help with the melting process.
Snow Removal Checklist
To help alleviate the stress and ensure that homeowners complete all necessary snow removal tasks, we've created a Snow Removal Checklist. This checklist outlines all the areas homeowners should address to maintain safety and accessibility throughout the winter:
Roof Snow Removal (Hire a Pro): Snow on the roof should be removed promptly to prevent the risk of roof collapse. Additionally, roof snow removal can be dangerous, so it's best to hire a professional.
Driveway Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): Driveways are a common area for snow accumulation. Clearing the driveway is necessary to ensure vehicles can pass. Due to the size of the area, you may want to hire a professional to handle it.
Sidewalk Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): Sidewalks are walkways, and if not cleared, they pose a slipping hazard. You can either handle this task yourself or hire a professional.
Stairs Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): Stairs or steps are common areas for slips and falls. You can choose to do it yourself or hire a professional.
Emergency Exit Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): If your emergency exit is covered with snow, it should be cleared immediately to allow for a quick exit in case of emergency. Hiring a professional is more reassuring.
Entryway Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): Ensure that there is no snow blocking the entryway, making it easy to get in and out of your home. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional.
Garden Snow Removal (Hire a Pro/DIY): If there is heavy snow on the garden or landscaping, it can damage plants and flowers. It’s important to clear this snow promptly. You can choose to handle it yourself or hire a professional.
Snow removal may seem like an overwhelming task, but with the right tools, efficient techniques, and timing, you can achieve great results. Whether you decide to handle the task yourself or hire a professional, the key is to start early and prioritize safety. Keep your driveway and sidewalks clear to ensure they remain accessible. So, bundle up, grab your shovel, and get ready for the snow!
