Tips for Snow Removal at Home

Let’s face it, most people have a love-hate relationship with winter. Sure, chestnuts might be roasting by an open fire; there’s even the possibility of a white Christmas. But there’s also the added hassle of having to shovel snow. And what happens when the snow is too deep to shovel? Of course, you could always wait for the snow to melt in the spring, but that’s not a wise decision. If you’re tired of spending countless hours removing snow, here are a few tips for snow removal at home that can save you time and effort. 

Use stakes around driveways and walkways

Using tall stakes around the edges of your driveway and walkways will help you and any snowplow company identify where your yard starts. You’ll be glad you took this step in the spring when you’re not repairing a dug-up lawn.

Invest in a good shovel

If you are shoveling snow and you don’t have a quality shovel to work with, you’re just making the job harder on yourself. It may be tempting to save a couple of bucks and grab a cheap snow shovel. But in this case, spend a little extra on a heavier-duty shovel with either an aluminum or heavy plastic blade.   

Keep snow away from your foundation

A lot of homeowners do not think of this. Avoid piling snow up directly next to your home. This is a recipe for disaster that includes cracked foundations and busted pipes along the exterior of walls. 

Shovel properly

Shoveling snow is one of the leading causes of injury, including heart attacks, during the winter months. Follow these safety tips:

· When lifting loaded shovels, always bend at the knees and lift with your legs.

· Alternate between left-handed and right-handed shoveling to avoid overstraining one side of your body.

· In heavy snows, don’t try to clear the entire depth at once, rather do it in half scoops.

· During prolonged snowfalls, go out and shovel more frequently so the depth remains manageable. 

Invest in a snowblower

If you want to cut back on the physical strain, consider investing in a snowblower. Snowblowers are certainly a more expensive option than a shovel, but will considerably cut your time removing snow. Snowblowers also reduce physical strain.

Ice Melt Yes or No

There are quite a few types of ice melt on the market today. They include salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, and urea. If you have pets make sure you buy a pet-friendly brand. Also, avoid using most of these on concrete or wooden decks. 

Maybe you’re just entirely done with removing snow altogether. John Parichuk Paving, LLC has the equipment to clear your driveway in no time in the Hanover, Gettysburg, and York, PA region. So call us today, and let’s get your driveway or business parking lot on our list.