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Tips For Snow Removal

January 16th 2023



Tips For Snow Removal,

Canadian Winters can be brutal when it comes to snow, and you either love it or hate it. No matter what side of the fence you are on, when you have a few inches of snow on your driveway and you need to get to work, that white stuff needs to go!

It's time to get back to the basics. Here you can learn the do's and do nots of shoveling.

Let's start with what you need to keep your driveway clear and safe during the winter months

  1. Shovel
  2. Warm Clothes - always dress in layers!
  3. A Plan
  4. Ice Melt

Choosing a Shovel

How do you know what shovel to buy?

collection of snow shovels

There are so many shovels on the market, just go to your local hardware store and it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices. So how do you know which one to buy? Consider the following to ensure you have the right shovel for the job.

  1. Your shovel should be lightweight but durable
  2. The shaft shouldbe strong and well built
    • bend shafts are easier for shoveling the snow but can make it more difficult for lifting snow
  3. The handle should come up to your chest - a shovel to short can strain your back and cause injury
    • wood and fibreglass handles are the best options as they are the most durable and light weight ( plastic can become brittle and metal is prone to rust)
  4. The blade should be rounded or scooped tohelp push the snow - best for loose snow
  5. Make sure the shovel is not to heavy for you to push and lift the now, so pick them up and get a feel for the weight
  6. Plastic, Metal or a combination isdependent on what your needs are and how the shovel feels. Metal shovels tend to be heavier and used for more heavy duty jobs, while plastic ones are more lightweight and great for clearing the snow around your home.

Whatever shovel you decide to buy just make sure it feels comfortable, is durable and within your budget.

Dress Warm

One things many homeowners do is go outside to shovel the snow underdressed, underestimating amount of time it takes to get the job done properly. This can cause you to rush the shoveling job which can cause you to do a poor job and even cause injuries.

winter clothing

Make sure dress warm and in layers. Layering up is so important as chances are you will be outside a while and you will get warmer the more you shovel. As your body warms up you can take off layers to cool down but still be protected from the cold. Don't forget your gloves, hat and winter boots. If you are dressed appropriately, then you will be comfortable and the daunting task of hand shoveling will be more enjoyable.

Make a Plan

Once it starts snowing do not wait until the snow has stopped to start shoveling. It is always best to go out a few times during the snow fall to prevent having to shovel large accumulations of snow which can result in injuries. Most people will start at one side of the driveway and push the snow to the other side and continue back and forth. This is not the most efficient way to clear your driveway! First you want to start at the top and clear a path down the middle to the bottom. See image below:

snow plowing path suggestion

Then you can go back to the top, and clear the the snow away from the middle; doing one side at at time. This is much easier than pushing the snow the full width of the driveway. This also allows you to spread out the snow piles on both sides of the driveway for a more even melt.

TO REMEMBER:

  1. Push the snow do not lift the snow as it is very heavy.
  2. If you do need to lift the snow use a smaller shovel and always lift with your legs not your back!
  3. Be observant of where you are piling the snow as you do not want to place the heavy snow on shrubs or plants.
  4. Make sure you keep fire hydrants, water drains and dryer vents clear of snow, as not clearing a dryer vent could lead to a fire.

Using a De-Icer

There are 2 main times in which you should apply de-icer:

  1. After snow has been shoveled
  2. To break up any ice build-up

Once you are done clearing the snow it is always a good idea to lay down a layer of a quality de-icer to get rid of the residual snow. This will melt the remaining snow, which will prevent snow from compacting and becoming slippery, giving you more traction. If you do find icy sections put down some quality de-icer to melt the ice.

de-icer salts

The best option for de-icer is Calcium Chloride for 2 main reasons:

  1. Works at lower temperatures
  2. As long as not used in excessive amounts is not harmful to plants - Use in moderation

TIP: Once the de-icer starts to work, shovel away the slush to help minimize any damage to concrete.

Happy Shoveling!