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Oftentimes, the biggest issue during snowy weather is the build-up of snow outside your property. Snow can accumulate and pile up quickly; it can present many potential problems if left unchecked.
That’s why knowing how to manage snow build-up outside your home is essential, and with proper preparation, homeowners can handle the snowfall outside their homes in no time.
To effectively manage snow build-up outside of your home, there are a few things you need to do:
1. Do Your Research
Research what snow removal services and products are available in your area. If you’re looking for eco-friendly options, consider working with companies like Green Earth Landscaping that use natural methods to manage snow build-up.
If you’re more of a do-it-yourself (DIY) person, snow blowers and shovels are available for purchase or rent at your local hardware store.
Understand When the Snow Falls
Some cold temperatures bring light snowfalls sporadically over a long period, while others bring multiple heavy traces of snow on consecutive days.
Knowing when you need to be ready to shovel or employ professional services is vital in keeping your driveway safe and clear of ice and snow build-up.
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Check Local Regulations About Snow Removal
Homeowners might need to clear their driveways of excess snow within specific time frames, or you could even face legal action if someone slips on the ice that you didn’t remove off your property in time. Understanding the rules means more peace of mind throughout the colder months.
2. Creating a Snow Management Plan
Creating a plan for dealing with snow build-up outside your home is essential. Here are some steps you should take when developing a plan:
Assess The Risk Areas
Survey your property and look for areas where snow build-up can create a hazard. Common problem areas include walkways, driveways, decks, stairs, and other outdoor pathways or access points.
Determine Who’s Responsible
Will you do the snow removal yourself or hire a professional? Who else needs to know if you’ll be taking care of the snow removal? If multiple people manage the snow on your property, like family members, ensure they all understand their responsibilities.
Establish Your Snow Removal Plan
Once you know who’s responsible for removing the snow outside your home and what areas need to be cleared, create a step-by-step plan on how it’ll be done, including when, how often, and by whom.
Ensure everyone involved understands this plan and post visible signs in high-traffic areas with specific instructions about who’s responsible for keeping them clear.
By creating and following a simple plan for managing snow build-up outside your home, you can keep your family safe while ensuring all pathways around your property are clear of any potentially hazardous ice or snow accumulation.
3. Shovel The Right Way
Once you have made your plan, you can shovel the snow correctly. To get the job done correctly, take a few extra steps before you start:
Choose The Right Shovel
Selecting the right shovel is critical; you don’t want to use a flimsy plastic one that’s likely to break on you halfway through the chore. The best ones will have a steel blade and an ergonomically designed handle, so your arms don’t ache from all the scooping and pushing.
Dress In Layers
Grab your hat, coat, and gloves (and maybe even two pairs of socks) to keep warm, and make sure you can move freely when shoveling. You don’t want anything too bulky or restrictive.
Lift With Your Legs
Lifting with your legs is essential for protecting your back from strain or injury. Additionally, you should switch hands occasionally when scooping snow off the ground into a pile; this ensures that both arms get an equal workout.
Be Mindful of Nearby Obstacles
You don’t want to trip when pushing the snow aside accidentally, be aware of any obstacles, such as stairs or posts in front of you. When possible, make sure that the snow isn’t pushed too close to items like cars or garbage cans; it can freeze together overnight, making it harder to remove later on down the line.
4. Remove Ice and Slush
It’s essential to manage the build-up of ice and slush, especially around the edges of your roof, driveway, or walkway. Here are a few tips on removing slippery patches from your driveway and walkway:
De-icing Agents
De-icing agents are an effective way to melt away ice and slush quickly and efficiently. Read the instructions carefully before using them, as some de-icing agents can damage plants, carpets, tiles, and the like.
Heating Cables
Installing heating cables is a way to keep your driveway and walkways free of ice and slush throughout snowy weather and is best used in areas where there’s limited foot traffic, as it can take several hours for them to heat up and melt away the ice.
Conclusion
Managing snow build-up outside your home isn’t difficult. Take precautions if you’re doing it yourself and have the right tools on hand.
Check the weather forecast and be prepared with the right supplies to ensure your home is safe. And if you can, hire a professional to clean up the snow around your home to prevent any hazardous situations from occurring.
