Snow removal can be a hassle. We’re in the dead of winter, and it’s okay to admit you’re sort of over it. Like you, we’re itching to get back out there, get our hands in the dirt, and help you get your lawn looking its best.
But first? Snow. (Insert eye-rolls here).
Although 410 Lawn Guy cares for your lawn and beyond in the warmer months, we want you to be safe and healthy during these winter months as well. And part of that means removing the snow in your driveway with efficiency.
Shoveling
Suppose you have a good old fashioned shovel and aren’t interested in investing in a snow blower. In that case, we applaud your gritty work ethic. Shoveling is a great way to clear a small driveway not buried in several inches of heavy, wet snow.
Depending on the type of snow and how much has fallen, you can opt to do small sections in layers or push your shovel along the concrete, acting as a manual snow plow. This obviously won’t work for heavy snow.
A plastic, wide shovel is your best bet for clearing a driveway so that the shovel won’t catch on the concrete. Shovels with a bent handle tend to be more comfortable, and the design helps you scoop up the snow easier.
Pro Tips for Snow Removal
Scoop up the snow with bent knees and straighten your legs as you lift the pile. If you can’t pick up the loaded shovel using bent knees, you’ll need to take lighter loads. Yes, it will take longer, but avoiding a back injury will be worth it.
Here’s a tip that might sound crazy: Coat both sides of your shovel with non-stick cooking spray to help the snow slide off more easily.
Do not overdo it if you have a heart or any health condition. Having a clean driveway can wait if it means not putting your health at risk. Your neighbors aren’t judging you (that much).
Snow Blowing
Since we often get snow, perhaps you’ve invested in a snowblower. This is a quick and easy way to remove snow from your driveway. The advantages are that it takes less manual labor. Still, the disadvantages are the higher cost than a shovel and the need for storage and upkeep.
If you use a snowblower, they tend to work more efficiently when the snow is deeper than two inches. In the rare storm that brings more than six inches of snow, your snowblower might not work as well the first time around, so blowing your driveway twice might be necessary.
Pro Tips for Snow Blowing
Practice to get the right speed. Go too slowly, the blower will not have enough momentum to shoot the snow out into an arc big enough to reach past your driveway. Too quickly and the snow could spill out the sides of your blower.
Plan ahead to map out a path to avoid adjusting the shoot. Start in the middle if your driveway is perpendicular to your house (which is most common). Make a u-turn and start the next row, ensuring the blower is always pointing out towards the yard.
Be careful not to run over any objects buried in the snow. Left out any extension cords from holiday lights or garden hoses from the summer should be cleared out to avoid running them over.
Hiring a Teenager
Think we’re kidding? We’re not.
When shoveling feels like something you no longer want to spend your muscles and time on, and purchasing a snow blower is not realistic. Think about who in your neighborhood might be able to help you.
Contact a neighbor with a teenager, and propose you’ll pay their teenager to clear your driveway. Most parents would be thrilled at this idea, and chances are, they wanted to ask you but were too intimidated to ask.
This option for snow removal is a win-win situation: You get a clear driveway, and you teach a neighbor youth the satisfaction of working hard for some money.
No matter which method you choose this winter, we all here at 410 Lawn Guy hope you are having a safe and healthy season. We’re counting down the days until spring is here, and we know you are, too. Be well.
