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5 Common Snow Removal Mistakes Homeowners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Snow removal is essential for maintaining safe, accessible walkways and driveways during winter, but many homeowners make mistakes that can lead to property damage, safety hazards, and even higher costs. Avoiding these common snow removal pitfalls can help you protect your property, reduce liability, and make winter maintenance easier. Here’s a look at five of the most frequent snow removal mistakes and how to avoid them.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting too long to clear snow after a storm. Snow that sits for too long can compact and turn to ice, making it harder to remove and creating dangerous, slippery surfaces. Delays in clearing snow can also lead to fines in areas with local snow removal ordinances.
How to Avoid This Mistake: Make it a habit to clear snow as soon as possible after a snowfall, ideally within a few hours. Early removal prevents compacting and reduces the likelihood of ice formation. If you’re unable to remove snow promptly, consider hiring a professional snow removal service to keep your property safe and compliant.
Another common snow removal mistake is using the wrong tools, such as a small shovel for heavy snowfall or improper de-icing products. Using inappropriate equipment can make snow removal harder and increase the risk of injury. Additionally, some techniques, like scraping too hard, can damage surfaces like driveways and sidewalks.
How to Avoid This Mistake: Invest in high-quality, ergonomic snow removal tools, like a snow shovel with a curved handle or a snow blower for larger areas. When choosing de-icers, select products suitable for your surface type (such as concrete-safe de-icers for driveways). Using the right tools and techniques will make snow removal easier and prevent damage to your property.
Many homeowners use salt to melt ice, but applying too much can cause more harm than good. Excessive salt can damage concrete, harm plants, and pose risks to pets. Moreover, salt runoff can lead to environmental pollution, affecting soil and nearby water sources.
How to Avoid This Mistake: Use salt sparingly and only in areas where ice poses a risk, like walkways and driveways. Opt for environmentally friendly de-icing products, such as calcium magnesium acetate, which is less harmful to concrete and vegetation. Alternatively, use sand to provide traction without melting ice or harming the environment.
Ignoring snow on your roof is a common mistake that can lead to severe consequences, including ice dams and structural damage. When snow builds up on the roof and refreezes, it creates ice dams, which can prevent proper drainage and cause water to seep into your home, resulting in leaks and water damage.
How to Avoid This Mistake: Monitor roof snow levels after heavy snowfall. If the snow accumulation on your roof exceeds 6 inches, consider using a roof rake to remove it safely from the ground. For larger snow build-up, hiring a professional for rooftop snow removal is the safest option to prevent damage and protect your home.
Some homeowners focus only on major pathways, ignoring smaller areas like walkways around the house or space around vehicles. Snow left in these areas can lead to accidents and block access to critical areas, including entrances, garages, and driveways.
How to Avoid This Mistake: Take a comprehensive approach to snow removal by clearing around all entry points, walkways, and driveways. Make sure there’s clear access around vehicles, as well as near trash bins and mailboxes, to prevent hazards and ensure ease of access. This thorough approach keeps your property safer and more functional during winter.
Avoiding these common snow removal mistakes can save you time, reduce the risk of injury, and protect your property from winter-related damage. By clearing snow promptly, using the right tools, applying de-icing products responsibly, and keeping an eye on all areas of your property, you can stay safe and prepared for winter. If you’re unsure about tackling snow removal yourself, consider hiring a professional snow removal service like Jackson's Yard Care LLC to ensure your property remains safe, compliant, and accessible all season long.
Please consider hiring Jackson's Yard Care for your Snow removal needs. Call us at 608-496-9997 if you have any questions. Every project you hire Jackson's Yard Care for creates job opportunities, supports workforce training, and uplifts our community. Thank you.
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