Techniques for Clearing Snow in a Driveway

Snow Shovel

• When using a snow shovel, begin at the center or side of the driveway and work toward the opposite side of the area to be cleared. Packing the snow in mounds on the side of the driveway is the ideal method for clearing shoveled snow. Although quite laborious, snow removal via a shovel is sometimes the only option. Better suited for smaller driveways, the shovel itself is wider and taller than a typical shovel. To trap more snow, these shovels are usually curved inward, similar to a snowplow. Snow shovels are typically manufactured out of any combination of plastic, metal and wood. Metal shovels, though heavier and typically more expensive than plastic snow shovels, also can be used to break up any ice that has formed underneath the show.

Snowblower

• A snowblower, sometimes referred to as a snow thrower, is a motorized machine that is pushed by hand or pulled behind a truck or ATV. You can use the machine’s rotating spout to control the direction in which the snow is moved, allowing you to pile the snow conveniently out of the way. Quicker and much less laborious than using a traditional snow shovel, snow removal via snowblower still involves a bit of physical labor on the user’s part, including pushing the machine back and forth or attaching it to a hitch. Dangers involved with using a snowblower primarily come from chunks of snow, frozen dirt or rocks that might get picked up and thrown along with the snow.

Plow

• If you have a large driveway, a snowplow might be the only option when it comes to snow removal. Large plows attached to the front of trucks or ATVs are used to move enormous mounds of snow at a time. Snow can be transported small distances when using a plow, allowing the operator to pile snow wherever it is most convenient.

De-icing

• De-icing is another consideration involved with snow removal. Because ice can develop underneath snow, it is important to de-ice a driveway after you have cleared it. You can use sodium chloride or salt, sand, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride or calcium chloride for de-icing to reduce the amount of new snow that sticks to the ground after it falls.