Eight Snow Removal Hack To Make Your Life Easier

Removing snow from the driveway and walkway is one of my least favorite things about winters. But for the safety of those around you, you cannot ignore this backbreaking task, unless you shift states. Fortunately, hiring someone else for snow removal in Denver is an option. But if that’s out of your budget, you can try some hacks to make the process go smoothly.

Coat Snow Shovel With Cooking Spray

Shoveling the snow is tedious as it is. Snow getting stuck on it only makes it more so. To avoid this, you can coat both sides of the shovel with non-stick cooking oil or cooking spray. This will make the snow slide right off and help prevent wasting time on removing it. Be sure to clean the oil before storing the shovel to avoid making a mess.

Start Immediately

Many of us tend to wait until it stops snowing before shoveling. This is a bad idea because the longer you wait, the harder the snow will be as it freezes and turns to ice. You should begin shoveling and removing the snow right after it starts snowing. Set a schedule to lightly remove the snow every hour or two, depending on how long snowfall lasts.

Lay Out Tarp Before Snowfall

This one’s a go-to for anyone who dislikes any kind of shoveling. If snow is in the weather forecast, lay out a tarp beforehand. When it finishes snowing, you can pull out the tarp and remove the snow in one go. Though you’ll need some prep work before getting started.

Along with the tarp, you’ll need some firewood, twine, and a shovel. Use the firewood to prevent the tarp from flying away due to a storm. Tie the tarp to the shovel with a twine. The shovel will help you pull the snow-laden tarp out.

Put up some warning signs to prevent people from tripping on the tarp. Don’t get too ambitious with the tarp size because snow can get heavy in large amounts.

Put On Your Socks

High-quality winter shoes aren’t always enough to keep your feet warm and dry. Doubling up on thick socks can help them stay warm even in frigid temperatures and prevent frostbites. Socks can also be a great way to improve traction on frozen surfaces. You just need to put another pair of socks on your boots. It may seem silly but the added traction is worth it.

Get The Right Shovel

If shoveling is your preferred mode of snow removal, then ensure that you’re using the right kind. Metal shovels with sharp ridges aren’t the best ones to work with. Not only are they heavy, adding to the strain on your back, but they also tend to scrape away at the asphalt pavement, adding to your workload.

Shovels with dull plastic ridges are the best tools for shoveling snow off your property and avoiding damaging asphalt surfaces.

Blow Snow From Middle

It’s best to start in the middle and blow it to the side, else you’ll be blowing it to the pre-cleaned area. When you reach the end, make a U-turn and come back down the other side, and continue to alternate. This way you won’t have to adjust the chute often and won’t need a second pass.

Apply Rock Salt Regularly

Rock salt can make your life easier by preventing the snow from sticking to the ground. This makes it easier to remove snow and ice. So apply rock salt regularly during the winter upon the first sign of snowfall.

Try Alternatives To Deicing Salts

Commercial deicing agents make it easier to remove snow by cutting through the tough icy layers. But these substances are pretty harsh and can damage concrete surfaces. They can also be pretty harmful to the environment. That’s why you might want to concoct an alternative for them.

Vinegar can be quite the deicer. Combine 3 parts vinegar to one part water and spray or pour it gently. Prevent it from running off into your landscape. Rubbing alcohol is also a good alternative. Combine 2 parts of it with one part of water and apply it to minimize runoff.