Your landlord always took care of snow removal. But as a new homeowner, you're suddenly your own landlord. What now?
Know your responsibility
What areas are you responsible for—the sidewalk in front of your house? A joint driveway? If the guidelines aren't exactly clear, your town's Department of Public Works should be able to help clarify them.
"In our code all homeowners are responsible for their sidewalks and two feet out into the road," says Nyack Superintendent of Public Works Victor Overton, who regularly advises homeowners on the best ways to remove snow from their property.
And don't do the work twice: after you dig out your driveway, put the snow after your driveway in the direction of traffic, so a plow won't push it back, he says. And watch those snowblowers! "Do not blow any of the snow out into the street," he says. "It becomes a navigational hazard, dangerous for the traveling public."
Salt
Salt can help keep those slippery flakes from tripping you up. But should you put down salt before, during, or after a snowfall?
It depends on the salt, says Aimee Nichols, co-owner of Berger Hardware in Hawthorne and Port Chester.
Rock salt is meant to be put down before snow falls, and keeps it from sticking to the surface, says Nichols. "But most people shovel, get it clear, then put down the salt. If you salt and then get snow on top it can turn to mush underneath and then it gets hard to shovel."
The type of snow expected—powdery, wet, icy—can also impact the best type of salt and timing of use. Berger Hardware sells a variety of salt, and staff is trained to advise people on which will best suit their needs.
Another important consideration is your surface, since some de-icing products can damage certain materials. "If you have a fairly new sidewalk, you don't want to use straight salt; you want to use a calcium chloride and salt mix," advises Overton.
If you have pets, you also might want to invest in safe snow melt. Dogs who need to be walked and cats who spend time outdoors may bring in salt or other ice melting substances on their paws, which can make them sick if ingested. Even an indoor animal can get sick from residue tracked in via your shoes.
Equipment and timing
Sadly, industrious neighborhood children armed with shovels are rarely the norm anymore; you'll likely have to handle this chore yourself. Buy a shovel early, since they often sell out once the snow's already started. Flat plastic shovels with a metal lip are popular, as are "back saver" shovels which purport to reduce back strain via a bent handle. "Make sure you can get something that won't be too heavy for you to lift up and toss to the side," advises Nichols. A long, wide pusher shovel functions like a miniature plow, pushing the snow as you walk forward, and is great for clearing large areas like driveways.
While many people go out to shovel numerous times throughout a storm in an attempt to stem accumulation, Overton advises waiting until the snowfall has ended. "A lot of people start shoveling, and then after we come and plow, it winds back up on the sidewalk!" If you can't wait for storm's end, Overton recommends waiting until your town's plows have already made a pass.
Of course, if you have a large driveway to contend with, you may prefer to forego the shoveling altogether for the amplified power—and reduced back strain—of a snowblower.
"This time of year, we're having trouble getting the bigger ones—even our suppliers are sold out, so we're down to the smaller sized ones," says Nichols. For those who were early to the stores, self-propelled snowblowers are easiest to push along the driveway. Gas snowblowers provide greater power and freedom of movement than electric, but are also more expensive, and require a precise mixture of gas and oil to power them.
And remember: there's a reason people don't just melt their snow away, and that reason is ice. "This past snowstorm, there was a lady out there—it was only like 15 degrees—and she was throwing hot water!" Overton recalls. "Don't use hot water to try to clear ice or snow or anything—it will melt, and then it will freeze!"
Victor Overton
Nyack Department of Public Works
63 Catherine Street
Nyack, NY 10960
(845) 358-3552
Aimee Nichols
Berger Hardware
443 Commerce Street
Hawthorne, NY 10532
(914) 769-2400
