Snow removal questions

[bcla]

Does salt help? I've seen driveway salt sold before, although I understand it's pretty nasty once it runs off into soil and sprays on car bodies.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Does salt help? I've seen driveway salt sold before, although I understand it's pretty nasty once it runs off into soil and sprays on car bodies.

I have icemelt that is non-erosive to concrete and doesn't harm plants and pet friendly (I have several neighbors with dogs so I wanted to be to keep that in mind). Normal icemelt does kill the concrete over time and can cause salt stains on cars.

Ice melt stuff tends to work best if you put it down before the snow/ice happens but mine worked fine the few times I used it this past winter when I put it down after it had snowed.

 

[bcla]

I have icemelt that is non-erosive to concrete and doesn't harm plants and pet friendly (I have several neighbors with dogs so I wanted to be to keep that in mind). Normal icemelt does kill the concrete over time and can cause salt stains on cars.

Ice melt stuff tends to work best if you put it down before the snow/ice happens but mine worked fine the few times I used it this past winter when I put it down after it had snowed.

I only do winter driving in California or Nevada, and they don't use much road salt. Mostly salt brine from what I've heard, and nothing like the quantities used elsewhere. However, we've got chain rules.

However, household deicer seems to be available. A former coworker had a cabin near Lake Tahoe on a narrow road. The county didn't plow, so it was basically unreachable in the winter without a snowmobile. Not sure what he would have done with the cabin snowed in if he really wanted to stay there during winter.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I only do winter driving in California or Nevada, and they don't use much road salt. Mostly salt brine from what I've heard, and nothing like the quantities used elsewhere. However, we've got chain rules.

However, household deicer seems to be available. A former coworker had a cabin near Lake Tahoe on a narrow road. The county didn't plow, so it was basically unreachable in the winter without a snowmobile. Not sure what he would have done with the cabin snowed in if he really wanted to stay there during winter.

Yikes yeah without plows we'd be lost. Even though we don't get too much snow in comparison to other places and we haven't had nearly the ice we did when I was growing up those plows do get usage. While tire chains are legal here where I'm at I don't really see people using them. The cities/counties do stock up on winter salt and pre-treaters. I know the MO side of the KC metro has 37,000 tons of salt and 30,000 gallons of pre-treaters ready for this upcoming season. I don't have the numbers for the KS side of the KC metro though (where I live) but it's likely right around the same amount.

The big plows are used in the main roads in my neighborhood and then the other roads (cuz there's a gadzillion cul-de-sacs) they tend to use the large trucks with the plows on front. A few years ago when we had 14 inches of snow followed by 12 inches of snow a few days later (now that is a rare for us) from what I understand from the neighbors they did break out the big plows for even the cul-de-sacs (we hadn't lived here at our current house yet).

 

[bcla]

Yikes yeah without plows we'd be lost. Even though we don't get too much snow in comparison to other places and we haven't had nearly the ice we did when I was growing up those plows do get usage. While tire chains are legal here where I'm at I don't really see people using them. The cities/counties do stock up on winter salt and pre-treaters. I know the MO side of the KC metro has 37,000 tons of salt and 30,000 gallons of pre-treaters ready for this upcoming season. I don't have the numbers for the KS side of the KC metro though (where I live) but it's likely right around the same amount.

The big plows are used in the main roads in my neighborhood and then the other roads (cuz there's a gadzillion cul-de-sacs) they tend to use the large trucks with the plows on front. A few years ago when we had 14 inches of snow followed by 12 inches of snow a few days later (now that is a rare for us) from what I understand from the neighbors they did break out the big plows for even the cul-de-sacs (we hadn't lived here at our current house yet).

That coworker's place was a summer cabin more or less. It's really close to the year-round communities, but his is located with a lot of more or less weekend retreats from spring to fall, with many vacation rentals.

The economy around there is heavily dependent on winter recreation. That means some visitors who have no business driving in the snow. Caltrans and Nevada DOT plow the major highways, but the counties and one city plow everything else. The big concern is the major roads, because businesses lose a lot of money when skiers can't get to the resorts. I don't the the city and counties quite plow like the state does.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That coworker's place was a summer cabin more or less. It's really close to the year-round communities, but his is located with a lot of more or less weekend retreats from spring to fall, with many vacation rentals.

The economy around there is heavily dependent on winter recreation. That means some visitors who have no business driving in the snow. Caltrans and Nevada DOT plow the major highways, but the counties and one city plow everything else. The big concern is the major roads, because businesses lose a lot of money when skiers can't get to the resorts. I don't the the city and counties quite plow like the state does.

Ah ok that makes more sense. Yeah I can def. see needing clear roads for ski areas. People gotta spend that $$$ to help keep the economy going.

 

[bcla]

Ah ok that makes more sense. Yeah I can def. see needing clear roads for ski areas. People gotta spend that $$$ to help keep the economy going.

Casinos on the Nevada side. I used to gamble a bit in Tahoe. One place had chips with a picture of a skier. The combination of skiing during the day and gambling at night was a big selling point.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

When we lived in PA my husband used a gas powered blower. He could do our 440 foot driveway by himself. I often helped him, but he could do it alone.

As an aside, I had knee surgery that left me non-weight bearing for 6 weeks as well. (No toe touch.) Mine was a surprise. It was suppose to be a simple surgery but ended up being micro-fracture. Once I got set up, it was pretty easy getting around the house. Just make sure he has somewhere to sit where ever he goes.

 

[winterman]

Can you hire someone to plow for you? We lived in Winterport for 26 years and always had our driveway plowed and shoveled only close to the house, where the plow couldn't go. Now that I have moved, I use a snow blower because I have more that the plow can't reach. But, I still have a plow guy for the driveway. If you get a snow blower, make sure it is a size that you can handle and more importantly, buy one with electric start.

 

[sam_gordon]

There aren't any plow guys in our area; we live in-town on small lots, and there's no place to put the snow (except the street), so hiring someone to snow plow violates town code.

Also you could pay the young neighbor kids to take of it, or pay a plow driver to take care of it

Can you hire someone to plow for you?

?????

 

[soccerdad72]

I think a reasonably priced single stage gas powered blower would be adequate for most of your needs. We have a smaller Toro that works pretty well.

If you're concerned about the physical toll it might take, maybe see if there's a high school kid in the neighborhood who would be willing to come over and snowblow occassionally?

 

[AppleDumpling]

We have a gas snowblower that works well most of the time (more difficult in heavy wet snow). It's self propelled and not huge. I can handle it if need be, but DH actually enjoys using it. So much so that when he's done with our property and on a roll, he usually helps out the neighbors.

Some of the newly constructed homes in our area have heated driveways. That seems like a great idea, though pricey, but probably worth it in the long run. When I drive by, I get jealous.

 

[lanejudy]

We live in New England with an average 80" of snow per winter. We have a Craftsman snowblower, probably mid-range in size/price. We've had it maybe 6-7 years, and my husband has it checked every fall so minimal issues. I can use it, though I prefer not to as it is rather heavy, but our driveway and sidewalk are both flat so no concern about losing control.

Even though you are in town where plowing isn't an option, there likely are landscapers who do winter work using snowblowers and shovels (since plows aren't allowed). It may be less expensive... or not. Your DH will be non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks; that doesn't mean in 7 weeks he'll be able to manually shovel a foot of snow. Whatever you decide, I'd plan on that option for the full season because he's likely to have PT and physical restrictions once he begins to bear weight. You've also mentioned you are both well past your 20's, so a snowblower could be a helpful investment for future winters as well. Yes, it's a costly piece of equipment especially to get a good one, but think of that cost spread over 5+ years. I'd suggest you and your husband go out to some reputable hardware stores now; talk to knowledgeable salespeople and get an idea of pricing for what might best suit your needs. And in the meantime, make some calls to local landscapers to see if they do winter work and get estimates. Then decide which option is best for you.

Best of luck to your DH with his surgery!

 

[bcla]

My dream one day is to buy a vacation home by Lake Tahoe, so I'm a bit curious about this. Most places selling them seem to call them snow throwers. They look kind of dangerous with the spinning, exposed blades. I guess the self-propelled models with treads should be easier to use. Do you have to keep your hands on a bar, like with a modern power mower? This one seems pretty impressive, but I can't tell from watching it.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yes, bcla there are safety handles. Or at least there were on ours.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Yep, ours has a "dead man switch" too, same as a lawnmower. Pretty sure it's a required feature.

Of course you have to be careful operating it, just like any other machinery, and never put your hands near the blade or into the chute. Unfortunately, you hear about people being injured and losing fingers all the time.

 

[Hikergirl]

There is a kid in our neighborhood that attached a plow to his 4 wheeler. He just pushes the snow onto the lawn, where it would go if it was shoveled anyway. Genius!

 

[Turn the Page]

Does salt help? I've seen driveway salt sold before, although I understand it's pretty nasty once it runs off into soil and sprays on car bodies.

That is really to toss down on icey spots. It isn't like you can toss it on a pile of snow and have it take care of your driveway for you. Generally, you blow/shovel the driveway and porch and then toss salt down on the icey steps or sidewalk or whatever.

There is a kid in our neighborhood that attached a plow to his 4 wheeler. He just pushes the snow onto the lawn, where it would go if it was shoveled anyway. Genius!

DH and I looked into that last week before we bought our snowblower and we were quoted $1000 to put the blade on. Craziness. It ended up being the same price as buying a blower.

 

[Disney Doll]

Hire someone to plow.

 

[aprilgail]

Can you just contract with someone for the winter? The guy I use you can do it 2 different ways- pay 300.00 for the entire season no matter how much it snows or doesn't snow or pay by the snow storm- last year we paid by the snowstorm and paid just around 200.00 so we made out. I am taking that same chance this year-if it snows a lot I lose- its a roll of the dice! I gave up shoveling snow, I hate it. I hired a landscaper when I was pregnant "just for that year"- that was 18 years ago and I still have him- decided it wasn't worth my time and energy to deal with cutting the lawn-well worth the money!