Snow poses a potential risk to your property. When temperatures rise, bad snow damage may happen. Ice dams on your roof may damage the gutters and work under the shingles. Snow melt may leak via your foundation’s tiny cracks, flooding the basement and damaging the walls. This issue may worsen over time because repeated melting and freezing cycles increase the cracks on your foundation.
During the winter, snow can also overload your roof and cause it to collapse, especially if it hasn’t been replaced or repaired in a long time. However, removing snow can help solve these issues. This article outlines seven snow removal tips for winter.
1. Invest in a Snow-Melting System
Snow buildup in your outdoor spaces results in various possible concerns, including your vehicle getting stuck because of a heavy snowstorm or slipping on ice. While shoveling snow can be fun, doing it daily over the long winter season can be time-consuming and taxing. Nevertheless, investing in a snow melting system can quickly and significantly lessen the snow on your property.
The system sufficiently heats the surface and prevents snow from building up in the treated place. This reduces your workload, saves time, and boosts your property’s safety. Installing a snow melting system also extends your property’s outdoor surfaces’ life by minimizing frost and ice damage. Learn more about these systems before investing in one.
2. Hire a Professional Snow Removal Service
Excess snow in your home or business premises can be dangerous. It may lead to slips and falls, causing severe injuries. Also, you may hurt yourself and others in the snow removal procedure if you aren’t cautious. Hiring a professional snow removal service improves safety.
Snow removal experts have the right skills, tools, and techniques to ensure quick and hassle-free snow removal. It’s cost-effective because you won’t need to buy the equipment necessary to clear snow, including a snow blower or shovel. Working with snow removal professionals guarantees quality results and improves your property’s aesthetic appeal.
3. Use the Right Snow Removal Equipment
Snow removal equipment can be any machine or tool that helps remove snow from driveways and walkways. It can be mechanically operated using a motor or manually by a human. Snow blowers, throwers, and shovels are snow removal equipment you can use around your home.
When looking for snow removal equipment, consider the type of snow, ground slope, and amount of snow. To determine the best snow removal equipment, consider features like power source, clearing depth, multi- or single-stage, and clearing width.
4. Dress in Layers When Snow Shoveling
Dressing in layers to remain warm when shoveling snow helps maintain your body temperature. Layer your clothes appropriately for the best results. The weather outside might be cold when shoveling. However, you may still sweat because the process is manual. Be sure to wear synthetic clothing on the skin to absorb the sweat, keeping you dry. Add a fleece layer for warmth and ensure the outer layer is waterproof.
5. Warm-up Before Beginning the Shoveling Process
Before you start snow shoveling, consider warming up. This will loosen your muscles and prevent injury. Stretching during shoveling is also essential. Whenever you take breaks, stretch your muscles to maintain blood flow. This will ensure you don’t injure yourself when you start shoveling again.
6. Use Snow and Ice Melt
Snow and ice melt can help remove slippery snow and ice from walkways, driveways, and other high-traffic places around your property. Most of these products contain chemical salts that reduce water’s freezing temperatures. Upon applying the product, the snow liquefies or becomes slush, making it easier to remove using a shovel.
Applying a thin ice melt layer to potentially slippery areas before freezing temperatures and snowfall can get you the best results. This helps start the freezing procedure immediately after the snow falls.
When looking for ice melt, ensure it suits your climate, loved ones, and landscape. It shouldn’t deteriorate your stairs, porch areas, and walkways. If you have pets, look for a pet-friendly product. Use the ice melt sparingly to prevent toxic run-offs that could damage concrete and vegetation.
7. Stake Your Lawn
Staking your lawn is the best way to spot boundaries where the lawn meets the path edge. It’s a lawn protection preventive approach. The snow stakes demarcate where snow plow operators can safely move without striking hidden valuable surfaces or hazards. Snow stakes, thin and tall poles, are inserted in the ground to mark edges and objects that winter’s snowfall covers.
The best lawn marking stakes should be tall enough to stay exposed under snowfall coverage and should be visible to protect against definite plowing hazards. Snow stakes should be tough because they’re constantly exposed to elements. You can use drilling holes, manual force, installation tools, concrete blocks, or stake sleeves installation methods based on your stakes’ material and where you’re placing them.
Endnote
Snow removal helps keep your property safe from the effects of snow. Consider implementing these snow removal tips during winter.
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