Every cold season, many homeowners have one major challenge to deal with. They get frustrated by the white matter of condensed moisture falling from the sky. Needless to mention, snow can make your life harder. Ever got out of your home and found your car stuck in snow and it won’t move? Perhaps even opening the door is a mountain task? Well, if this sounds anything like you, you perfectly get the idea. It goes without saying, that removing snow from your home can be a mammoth task. However, it gets easier if you have the right hacks and tricks, and the proper equipment for the job. This having been said, here are some home snow removal tips you should know.
Six Common Sense Home Snow Removal Tips
1. Get the right snow blower
If you’ve been living in an area that snows regularly, higher chances are that you already have a snow blower. In other words, almost everybody has one, or do they? However, not all snow blowers are built the same. There are three main types of snow blowers, namely single stage, double stage, and triple stage snow blowers. A single-stage only works best for light snow. On the other hand, a double-stage blower can work for light snows as well as wet and heavy snow. If you’re dealing with wet, heavy snow and ice, a triple-stage blower is probably the best for you.
2. Use your blower the right way
Despite having the right snow blower, the way you use it also matters. For instance, using the blower at the right speed will allow you to cover more distance in a short time. Additionally, using a speed too high will get the snow spilling from the side of your machine. This means experimenting until you get the right speed would be essential. Experts also advise starting at the middle for driveways with clearance on both sides. From the center point, remove snow using u-turns for best results. This will help you to avoid throwing snow on already cleared sections.
3. Get a snow shovel
Snow shovels are also great tools when it comes to snow removal. As a matter of fact, some people like combining it with the snow blower when removing snow. But then again, there are many different types of snow shovels. Especially for the wet and heavy snow, choosing the right one will save you a lot of time and frustration. However, most experts recommend getting a snow shovel that is built for pushing, lifting, and throwing. Using a shovel, some people like removing the snow in layers after the storm ends. All the same, others prefer removing the snow periodically after every few inches. This will be dependent on things such as time and the intensity of the storm. Snow shovels also come in a wide variety of materials, including steel and plastic. It’s best to choose one that won’t end up damaging your paving. And to avoid hurting your back, there are some snow shovels that come with three handles.
4. Make shoveling easier with cooking spray
Sometimes the shovel just won’t get into the heavy wet snow. And if it does, it sticks on the shovel, making the task 3 times more difficult. You can simplify the task by spraying some cooking oil on the shovel. This makes it easier for you to cut into the snow using the shovel while preventing the snow from sticking.
5. Some extra socks
For a reason, this one is one of the most hilarious home snow removal tips. Wear some extra pair of socks; but this time over your snow boots. This adds some traction, which reduces your risk of falling when removing snow.
6. Melt it down with salt
Your common kitchen and bathroom ingredients can come in handy during snow removal. When dealing with heavy snow and ice, melting it down can be helpful. Some dish soap, alcohol, and water will do the trick. Make a mixture from the following ingredients to create a salt alternative for the meltdown.
● Soap dish – 1 teaspoon
● Rubbing alcohol – 1 tablespoon
● Water – 0.5 gallons
In addition to the above tools and tricks, your regular leaf blower can also be helpful for removing light snow. At your most desperate moments, you could also turn your wet/dry vacuum into a snow blower.
