Last week, I saw you on the CBS “Early Show” talking about how to better prepare for a visit from old man winter. I was particularly interested in your thoughts on snow plowing. Could you further elaborate on plowing/removal tips, as I struggle every spring with collateral damage, and frankly, I am tired of it. Please help.
Thank you, Art
A: Dear Art,
I can appreciate the way you are feeling about your springtime damage. While there is no silver bullet, there are things a homeowner can do to minimize snow related damage. I’ll break down three basic categories to consider.
Snowplowing: Nothing says I love you like protecting your plants and landscaping with reflective stakes. While some will say they mark things out with wood grade stakes, the problem is that they can become lost in a blinding snowstorm. (Note: If you hire out your plowing needs, make every effort to stay with one contractor throughout the season because if damage is noticed in the spring there will be no issue of who may have caused it.)
In addition to marking your driveway for plants, etc., you will also want to consider the fact that the rolled up snow will contain sand and road salt. Armed with this insight, stake out a “push” area that will have a minimal impact on your landscaping during spring run off. Additionally, you will want to trim your lawn around the entire perimeter of your driveway to insure proper drainage throughout the winter.
Snow blowing: You will also want to mark out your walkways with reflective stakes. Be sure that any plants or small bushes in the line of fire of a snow blower have structural frames over them. Make every effort to blow the snow in a direction that will allow proper run off away from your home. Try to have the entire area needing snow removal as well lit as possible.
When sanding walkways, use sand that has been screened to 1/4 inch or less in size. Larger rocks can become flying projectiles; they can also break shear pins in your snow blower.
Snow removal: Focusing on removing snow from decks and roofs, the first thing you’ll want to do is to photograph your entire roof and deck area. Come spring you will use these pictures to determine any excessive damage. Make sure that any contractor hired to remove snow is fully insured. When contracting to have snow removed from your roof, be sure to include moving the cleared snow well away from your home’s foundation.
Finally, remember that snow removing is an emergency type of service. One should expect a certain amount of wear from the process. Following these tips will at least reduce the chance of significant collateral damage.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine and appears locally on WCSH’s 207. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.