Shortcuts for snow removal that save time and effort

Shortcuts for snow removal that save time and effort 

Have snow? We bet you do. If after a long winter of shoveling or blowing snow your back has been aching, you may be doing it incorrectly. Here are some tips from Consumer Reports home expert Eric Hado that can make snow removal easier and keep you injury-free for the remainder of winter. 

Employing a snowblower 

If you own a snow blower, according to Hado, speed is crucial. Why? If you move Snow removal Surrey too slowly, your arc of blowing snow won't cover much ground. If you accelerate, snow may spill out of the side of your vehicle. Experiment until the appropriate speed is discovered. 

Your clearing methods should differ based on the layout of your property. In general, you should avoid throwing snow on top of previously cleared pavement. The snow ejected by your blower will compact and adhere to the pavement, making it more difficult to remove. 

For driveways with clearance on both sides, the optimal strategy is to begin in the middle and fling snow toward one edge. Turn around and return along the opposite side. Keep alternating. This will reduce the frequency of chute adjustments, and following passes will clear any snow that falls short. Ideally, a second pass is unnecessary. 

If your home is adjacent to the driveway, begin on the side closest to your home. Thus, you will not be tossing snow onto previously cleared pavement. 

Snowblower safety precautions: In 2012, finger injuries, including amputations, accounted for approximately half of the projected 3,300 emergency room visits connected to snow blowers. Back and shoulder discomfort were also prevalent. 

Snow removal  

With regard to shoveling, you have two options. Remove snow in layers after every few inches of snowfall, or wait until the storm has passed and remove snow in layers. Remove only as much snow as is comfortably manageable. 

Hado suggests that you clear your driveway in two steps. Initially, push the snow to the edges with a pusher shovel, such as the one depicted in Figure 8. Use a shovel with sides, such as a No. 2 garden shovel, to remove any remaining debris. A multifunctional shovel designed for tossing, lifting, and pushing, such as No. 1, may be your best option. A plastic shovel without a steel edge is less prone to catch on an uneven pavement. 

Shoveling safety. According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, an average of 11,500 snow shoveling-related injuries were treated annually between 1990 and 2006. One-third of the injured sustained lower back injuries, followed by arm, hand, and head injuries. One in five accidents were caused by slips and falls, while fifteen percent of injuries were the result of being struck by a snow shovel. 

The proper equipment for the job 

Try to avoid driving or walking on the snow before beginning snow removal, regardless of the method you employ. Pack snow is more difficult to remove. And if snow is adhering to the shovel or snow blower's nozzle, apply silicone or, in a hurry, cooking spray. Check out our evaluations of snow shovels and snow blowers to locate the most effective equipment for the job. Check which ice melts are most effective and safe for your dogs and your home to ensure that your cleaned surfaces remain clear.