Agent Offfers
Realty Times TV

Keeping Your Landscape Free From Snow Next Winter

Written by Posted On Monday, 18 March 2019 19:32
Keeping Your Landscape Free From Snow Next Winter

Spring doesn't feel like the time to hit up the hardware store in search of a new snow blower, but it actually should be. As the Winter season ends, stores are desperate to unload remaining stock and free up showroom floor for lawnmower and other garden related machines. Massive discounts hit and if you've been eyeing one for years, might be the best time to finally pull the trigger.

Purchasing the right machine can be a frustrating experience. Many different types that do so many different things. But with the knowledge of what you plan to use it for, this process becomes much simpler.

Clearing a Paved Driveway

Most of us Northerners first move with our shovel is to the driveway. Digging out our cars and ensuring we can back it out in time for work. If that's you, your'e likely looking at a gas-powered snow blower. These come in single-stage and two-stage models and have the power to handle most snow storms Mother Nature throws our way.

Single-stage snow blowers work by using an auger to shovel up snow and sling it through the discharge chute in one motion (thus the name single-stage). They have some nice power and for most of the United States should get the job done. But the wetter the snow your region receives, the more these machines tend to struggle. Best for single-car driveways.

Two-stage snow blowers on the other hand use an impeller inside to aid the auger and propel snow much farther. They are built for 2 and 3-car driveways and have immense removal power. There are no issues handling those big piles at the end of the driveway or the heaviest of snows.

Clearing a Gravel Driveway

The paddles on single-stage blowers make contact to the ground. On flat, smooth surfaces, this works great to clear down to the surface. But on gravel, it's a recipe for disaster. Turning rocks into projectiles is dangerous to anyone in the area and any property you own. They should be avoided at all costs.

That leaves you with a two-stage snow blower as your best option. Their blades do not make contact with the ground and can even be adjusted up to create more space.

Clearing a Lawn

In the off chance you want to clear a path on your lawn, the same rules as gravel driveways apply. You'll want to use a two-stage model to avoid ripping up your precious lawn. Trust me, it is not something you want to see when the snow melts.

Clearing a Wood Deck

Removing snow from a wood deck can be a nerve wracking experience. You don't want to scuff up your beautiful wood or open it up to water damage. For this, you'll want a single-stage unit with rubber-tipped paddles

Now this doesn't mean you have to grab an expensive gas-powered machine. Both electric and cordless snow blowers make great choices for the deck. If you have a plug nearby, an electric will fire up quickly and can cost around $100. Cordless models can run a couple hundred dollars more due to their battery. But the beauty of these machines is their lightweight build. You can easily move them around the deck with minimal effort and fold them up for minimal storage. In fact, these will fit conveniently in a hallway closet.

Clearing Sidewalks

All the snow blowers mentioned above can handle this task. Although if you're only dealing with sidewalks, I'd go with the most affordable option. But if you only get a few inches of snow at a time, there is an even cheaper alternative. They are power shovels.

These simple devices are essentially automated shovels. A paddle will rotate around and dump snow in front of it. As you push forward, you clear the path in front of you. They are limited to sidewalks primarily, but can provide big savings over a traditional snow blower. Plus their tiny footprint won't take up much space in your garage.

Clearing the Roof

There are only a couple scenarios where this is a necessity. When you are concerned about a roof collapse or want to prevent ice dams from forming. Otherwise, don't risk your health trying to make your roof look clean in the winter.

Shoveling the roof is a big no-no. It is just too dangerous and should only be done by licensed professionals. Instead, try a snow rake. These allow you to reach up to the roof and rake the snow off like you would a pile of leaves. Just be warned, this won't guarantee that an ice dam won't form.

Use Salt and Sand

After removing snow from your property, it is important to limit the amount of ice that forms. Ice can make a dangerous situation for yourself and family.

The standard method is throwing down a bag of salt and letting it do its thing. That is fine for most people. But the best choice is to use a mix of sand and salt. An 80% sand with 20% salt mix is perfect. The salt will melt the ice and the sand will provide the traction you need. Not only is this a more cost effective way of treating your property, but it will also save you some unnecessary corrosion on your driveway and sidewalks. Just be careful to keep it away from the car.

Conclusion

Spring can be a great time to buy a snow blower as long as you understand what your home's needs are. The right choice can lead to a beautiful and functional landscape next Winter without having to break the bank.

For more information on snow blowers, please check out the Consumer Reports guide that rates the most popular brands on the market. Or read through reviews on snow blower geared sites like SnowBlowers.net and MovingSnow.com.

 

 

Rate this item
(1 Vote)
Mark Geddes

I have been selling and repairing outdoor equipment and power tools for 14 years. My specialty is in lawn mowers and snow blowers. Throughout my life I have been the owner of a landscaping company and have extensive knowledge in the field.

I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a passionate Vikings fan.

More in this category: > 4 Tips When Making the Switch From Renting To Buying a Home Why DIY Garage Door Repair Is Not A Good Idea?
back to top

Agent Resource

Before You List

Today's Headlines

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.

Links

Sections

Search

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries