Take Care Of Snow By Avoiding These Snow Removal Mistakes

Lots of snow can make winter more enjoyable around Long Island. Don't let the snow removal process put a damper on the season. Snow removal is an important part of property maintenance, and knowing the right way to manage it can make life a lot easier. When it comes to snow removal, our real estate agents actually see many locals make mistakes, so we thought we'd compile a quick list of tips to help you make it through the winter:

• Waiting Until The Snow Stops Before Shoveling
  Why shovel in the middle of a storm when you'll have to shovel again when it's done snowing? The snow will be significantly heavier and more difficult to remove if you wait until the end of the storm. Delaying snow removal is a common mistake. While many homeowners dread the thought of shoveling two or three times, multiple quick and easy passes can be better than a multi-hour exhausting shoveling session. If a big storm is coming, don't delay snow removal!
  
  
• Push The Snow Instead of Lifting It
  If you're considering one of these beautiful Suffolk County homes for sale, then you'll need to learn to shovel snow the right way. Many people want to lift and toss snow, but in many cases, you can get by just pushing it to the side. Repeatedly lifting heavy snow can result in injury. If you do need to lift, make sure you're bending your knees and using your legs. You don't want to throw out your back.
  
  
• Letting Too Much Snow Sit On The Roof
  A couple of inches of snow on the roof isn't going to hurt anything, but a significant amount of heavy snow can cause damage. Roofs usually aren't designed to hold heavy weight for extended periods of time. If you have more than 6 inches of packed snow or 12 inches of fluffy snow, call a professional to remove the snow or use a snow rake to remove it within 24 hours. Don't attempt to climb on your roof yourself.
  
  
• Using Toxic Salts Or Melts
  Rock salt or ice melt is an easy and convenient way to remove ice and snow from your sidewalk or driveway, but many of these products can be dangerous to pets. They can also cause damage to your landscaping. You should always try to choose a non-toxic product if you can.
  
  
• Eliminate Ice Dams
  When temperatures are very low, homes can develop ice dams along the roof. Ice dams are essentially a layer of ice that forms between your eaves and roof. They can lead to mold, mildew, and rot along your roof. In some cases, they can even damage your roof. If you notice ice dams forming, you should call a professional right away.
  
  
• Maintain Your Snowblower
  Snowblowers are helpful tools in the winter, but you want to make sure your machine is in working order before a big snow sets in. You should always test your snowblower before every winter. After every use, be sure to remove any snow from the interior. Leftover snow inside the machine can cause damage.

Learning the right way to remove snow can make life easy in the wintertime. Contact us today to explore local listings.