9 Expert Tips for Removing Snow and Ice

Regardless of where you live – in colder climates or more temperate ones – at some point during winter, you'll undoubtedly have to deal with snow and ice. It can be tough to know what to do, especially if your area periodically gets significant snowfalls. To simplify life, here is a list of 9 helpful tips for getting rid of snow and ice.

1. Use Tarps

Tarps are an inexpensive solution to help protect driveways, decks, patios, and even your car against heavy snow. Spreading the tarp across a walkway or driveway before the storm hits helps to provide traction and prevent any freezing rain from accumulating on top.

If you anticipate snow, you might be inventive and cover your car with a sheet. To ensure it stays in place, tuck the corners under the hood and trunk. When it's time to depart, you open the hood and trunk, remove the tarp, shake off any snow or ice, and place it in the trunk. This will should less than a minute, and you'll be ready to go!

2. Use a Good Snow Shovel and Shovel Often

For those who need to shovel snow regularly during the winter, ensuring you have the right tool for the job is essential. Investing in a good-quality snow shovel can make the experience significantly more comfortable and efficient. There are tons of different types of shovels to choose from, but you should really know the four main types:

1. Scoop Shovels: Scoop shovels are best suited for heavier snow as they have a flat blade that will allow you to easily get underneath the snow to move it.
2. Push Shovels: Pusher shovels are best suited for snow that is light and powdery, as they have a wide blade which can allow you to move a lot of snow very quickly.
3. Combo Shovels: A combo snow shovel is designed to allow you to push or scoop snow.
4. Rolling Shovels: Rolling shovels are a variation of the push shovel with wheels. They are great for clearing large areas and reducing the amount of physical exertion.
   

When it comes to choosing a snow shovel that works well for your use case, you should consider the following factors:

1. Metal vs. Plastic Blade: Choosing between a metal and plastic blade can be a tough decision, but it really comes down to your use-case. Metal blades are stronger and can both shovel and scrape ice. They can get under the ice during the freezing and thawing cycle and work well if you have a perfectly even concrete driveway or sidewalk. Plastic blades are lighter and better suited for uneven surfaces like a wooden deck or a cracked sidewalk.
2. Blade Size and Shape: Larger blades can scoop up more snow at once, but put more strain on your back and other muscles leading to quicker fatigue. Smaller blades on the other hand will be easier to move the snow, but may take longer to clear larger areas.
   
3. Handle Type: Metal handles are typically made from aluminum, making them lightweight and resistant to rusting. Plastic handles are lightweight and easy to maneuver, but need to be protected from sun and heat while not in use. Fiberglass handles are sturdy and rust-free, but can be heavy. Wooden handles, a traditional option, are lightweight and durable, but may require tightening due to expansion and contraction caused by changes in weather.
4. Durability: Don't cheap out on the quality of the snow shovel. There's nothing worse than having your shovel break in the middle of clearing show!
5. Weight and Comfort: If you have back problems or other physical limitations, consider choosing a lightweight model. Some ergonomic snow shovels are specifically engineered to help reduce back pain, but they may be a little awkward to use than a conventional shovel.

The good thing about a snow shovel is you can also use it year-round. Need to clean up lots of leaves from a brick/concrete patio or driveway? Snow shovel to the rescue! It can scoop better than a rake and will push piles of leaves better than a broom.

3. Use a Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers typically move the snow from one place to another. They act like mini-snow blowers and remove the snow easily and quickly for light and fluffy snowfall. The technique works best with up to 3 inches of powdery or freshly fallen snow—anything more than that will clog up your machine.

To blow the snow away, tilt the nozzle of your leaf blower downward and aim it at the path you want to clear—use this gentle push-and-pull method while manipulating what's left behind in the direction you want to go. For continuous snowfall, repeat the process every hour or so.

4. Use Pam Cooking Spray on Snow Shovels

A bit of an unconventional solution, using PAM cooking spray can help shovel out snow. The oil creates a slippery barrier between the snow and the shovel blade, reducing friction and making it easier to clear an area. Before you begin shoveling, lightly coat your shovel with the spray. Of course, remember to wipe off the cooking spray once finished before storing away your shovel!

5. For Ice Removal Spray Your Windows With Rubbing Alcohol

When temperatures dip, your interior windows can sometimes form a layer of ice crystals, reducing visibility when driving. The simple solution? Spritz some rubbing alcohol onto the frosty window and wipe away with a microfiber cloth or soft cleaning towel. Since most rubbing alcohol is about 70% isopropyl, it will quickly and safely break down the ice, thus defrosting your window in no time. Don't go overboard – too heavy of an application will create unwanted streaks.

6. Spray Hot Water on the Snow

You know the old saying to fight fire with fire? What if we told you that you can fight snow with water? Using a garden hose and hot water is an efficient method for clearing snow without the use of a shovel or blower.

Start by connecting your sprayer hose to an indoor hot water spigot – either kitchen or bathroom – and aim it at any enclosed areas surrounding your driveway or walkway before turning on the hot-water supply. Begin by spraying warm water onto the snow, moving over each section at least once for maximum coverage. Once completed, if the area needs additional traction for safety, sprinkle salt for added protection against freezing. The salt will weaken the ice, making it easier to remove with a snow shovel or scraper.

7. Sprinkle Salt before It Snows

As cold weather approaches, it's important to remember that you don't need to wait for snowfall to tackle icy patches on your property. Sprinkling salt on any ice-prone areas of your yard, such as steps, sidewalks, and driveways, can help prevent hazardous falls from occurring before the snow even hits the ground.

Salt melts down a layer of snow and helps keep a thin layer of ice from forming when temperatures drop. This is an easy and effective way to ensure no one slips while they walk through your yard or the driveway this winter. Plus, it makes cleaning up easier should you need to shovel light snow. So if you want to stay safe during winter storms and cold snaps, sprinkle salt on those dangerous icy surfaces before it snows.

8. Use Cat Litter to Provide Traction on Icy Surfaces

If you ever find yourself stuck in your driveway or on the side of the road after an icy snowfall, look no further than your nearby cat litter (yes, really). Sprinkling kitty litter on the ground before and in front of your wheels will provide some grip for the wheels to gain enough traction to get you out of a bind, and hopefully save you from a long wait for a tow truck.

Once the cat litter gets you moving again, traditional methods like salt should melt the ice and eliminate what has been causing slick spots in your driveway or parking lot.

9. Removing Snow from Roofs

During the winter months, rooftops must be regularly cleared of snow. To successfully remove snow from your roof, hire professional snow removal services or use high-powered shovels and other tools specifically designed for this task. During the snowstorm, the inches of snow accumulation can quickly become overwhelming and can put a lot of extra stress on the structure of your roof and multiple layers of shingles.