Simple tips to remove snow from your walkways!

Snow may look beautiful from inside your warm, cozy living room, but it also presents an important responsibility to you as a homeowner. Removing snow from the walkways and sidewalks around your house is something we all need to stay on top of to prevent our friendly neighbours or the mailman from taking a spill. We all know it is not the most entertaining winter task, but now with a few easy tips, it doesn’t have to be the hardest either.

Preparation

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, simply take a quick walk around your property and clear the walkways of anything that could get in the way of you shoveling (e.g. tools, hoses, rocks.) After you are done your walk around, a quick review of your local snow codes is never a bad idea to ensure you are on top of your upcoming winter responsibilities.

Equipment

Another aspect of preparation is making sure that you have the right snow removal equipment and that it’s in good working shape! Before the snow season starts, head out to your garage and make sure you have a good snow shovel. The best shovels have a metal head or at least a metal blade on the tip to provide a bit of extra bite and durability. Your shovel’s head should also be firmly secured to the handle and shouldn’t wobble. If you have a snow blower, be sure to give it a test before the season and make any needed tune-ups or repairs.

Ice

It is not uncommon to have a layer of ice left behind after you’ve finished shoveling the walkway. The easiest way to take care of a thin sheet of ice is to sprinkle some ice melt onto it. If the ice is stubborn, you can put the ice melt down, allow some time for it to break up the ice and then shovel it off. For really thick, difficult ice, you may need to break off chunks with an ice scraper and then shovel that off the walkway.

Now that your walkways are clear and your neighbours are safe, head back inside for a big cup of hot chocolate. You deserve it!