Common snow removal mistake homeowner make

Snow removal isn’t anyone’s idea of winter fun, snowfall is just a part of winter. Sometimes we deal with a few inches, and sometimes we get a few feet of snow. Regardless of how much snow we get throughout the winter, it’s important to ensure walkways, stairs, and other pathways into your business are clear and safe. 

That said, with a little strategy and proper preparation — plus the right tools — you’ll be able to tackle winter weather this season without incident or accident.

Here are 07 common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to winter snow removal

Along with our tips for how to avoid them, so you can spend more time enjoying the winter weather this season and less time cleaning it up.

1. Not Understanding the Law

There are laws that concern snow removal. Failing to comply with the laws can lead to stiff penalties, as high as $5,000. Unfortunately, snow removal laws differ from city to city, making it difficult to keep track of what you are legally obligated to do when it snows.

You can avoid all of this confusion and stress by hiring an experienced snow removal company.

2. Forgetting to prep your lawn ahead of time

You’d be surprised how many homeowners don’t think about winterizing their lawn until after the first snow hits. Plan ahead in late fall or early winter however, and it’ll make your life that much easier come spring.

3. Delaying Removing Snow

The biggest mistake most people make in snow removal is simply waiting too long. Of course, this isn’t a problem if you’ve only had a few inches fall, but for several inches — or feet — of snow, you need to begin promptly.

The more snow that accumulates, the heavier and harder it is to remove. By shoveling and removing snow frequently, you make the job easier and are less likely to risk straining yourself. You also prevent the snow from melting and refreezing, which can make it slicker to walk on, and more difficult to remove.

If you shovel more frequently or hire a service to come in and do it for you, you are making your life easier and putting less strain on your body.

4. Improper Technique

Most people think that the best way to shovel snow is to scoop, lift and toss the snow by the shovelful. Unfortunately, this method is more likely to lead to overexertion and injury and isn’t going to get the snow removed any faster than the correct method.

To shovel properly, make multiple passes at the snow as it falls, trying to keep up with the snowfall so that you are shoveling 2 to 3 inches at a time. Using your shovel, push the snow across the surface you need it removed from. Do not lift or toss.

5. Making Narrow Paths

One of the most common places you’ll remove snow from is your walkway or the place people enter your home from. It can be tempting to shovel out a narrow path that’s big enough to pass through but not much more, but this can lead to problems over time.

Paths tend to narrow as the season goes on, with more snow falling, and existing snowbanks melting and refreezing. If your path is wide when you begin, any narrowing that occurs won’t obscure it.

6. Delaying Removing Snow from the Roof

Snow on your roof isn’t a big concern if you only have a few inches fall. But if the snow keeps falling, you may need to take steps to remove the snow. Too many people don’t know the right time and risk roof damage.

The proper time to remove snow from your roof is when it reaches 60 pounds per square foot or more. This can look like 6 inches of packed snow or 12 inches or more of fluffy snow.

7. Not Using Pet-Safe Ice Melt

It often helps to throw down a layer of salt or ice melt after you’ve finished shoveling an area. When you do this, it helps melt any residual ice and can help prevent more light snow from sticking. Unfortunately, many ice melts and road salts can be toxic to animals and your landscaping.

Pet-safe ice melt can help make sure that your pets and wild animals remain safe from toxic salts and chemicals. They’re also less corrosive to landscaping, so you’re less likely to deal with issues in the spring.

Snow removal can be tedious as well as expensive. But if you take steps to remove the snow safely and correctly at all times, you will keep your property safe this winter, no matter how much snow falls. When you work with a professional snow removal company, like PBCleaning 247, you not only get clear parking lots and sidewalks, you gain peace of mind knowing your business, customers, and employees are safe