Snow Removal

Presented by KUTV.Com.

If this winter is anything like last year’s, the shovels and snow blowers will be working overtime. And although most everyone wishes for a white Christmas, removing piles of it from their driveway, walkways and roof can be hard work. Kristen Calderwood from Home Depot shows us how to choose the best snow removal tool for your needs.

Blowers vs. Throwers
There is a difference between a snow blower and a snow thrower, explains Calderwood.

“The first thing you need to decide is how big of an area do you need to clear. A smaller driveway would use a snow blower, also known as a single-stage.”

The single-stage models usually have smaller clearing paths and lower horsepower than dual-stage models.

“It’s not good in heavyweight snow but it’s perfect for removing up to 12” of snow.”

A 2-stage tool is equipped with a large auger to break up icy, chunky, heavy wet snow. A second mechanism will then blow it from the area.

“The cool thing about a 2-stage snow thrower, aside from your neighbors being envious, is you’re going to be able to pick up that heavy, heavy, nasty snow that the other type of blower won’t be able to lift.”

Prices on these power tools range from $300 to up to $2,000 depending on the features included.

De-Icer
There are several de-icers that are available. One such product is called, "Bare Ground," which is a chemical product that you should spray before it snows. It prevents hard ice from forming and it makes snow removal easier. You can find it at your local hardware store for about $40 per gallon.

Shovels
Once you begin to shovel, consider the following:
If you have a small driveway or walkway, a standard snow shovel will do the trick.
Aluminum shovels are much lighter than they used to be.

You can use liquid floor wax on the shovel, which reduces the friction because it makes the shovel a slicker surface as you are scraping the shovel through the snow. It also keeps the snow from sticking to the shovel itself and that makes it less heavy when you're working. Waxing will also help keep it from rusting. A shovel usually costs about $15 to $20.

Roof Snow Removal
Weight on decks and roofs is a big concern. It can also be a huge hassle, particularly when the unexpected blizzard strikes. Be sure to remove snow from your roof to prevent the snow from accumulating and reduce the weight on the house. The Snow Cutter from Phillips costs about $75 and fits most extension poles.

Also, removing the lower part of the snow off the edge of the roof will allow the gutters to continue working when the snow starts melting. Removing some of the accumulation of snow will prevent any "ice dams" from forming. This is a condition where as the snow accumulates, it gets into your gutter and possibly freezes. As the snow starts melting, it can dam up the water and force it under the shingles and into the house. If you don’t want to manually remove the snow, a heating coil can be installed where the roof meets the gutter to prevent ice damming by melting that area and keep the roof warmer so it doesn't freeze. Heating cables do have some drawbacks, though. They're not terribly attractive, and during hard freezes, they may need to be on for days or weeks at a time.

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