It’s that time of year again and mother nature isn’t pulling any punches. You’ll want to make sure you’re properly prepared for the weather before it hits. Nothing’s worse than being caught without protection from the elements. So here are some pointers to ensure that you’re ready to deal with snow and ice dams for the snowy months.
Equipment
When the inches start piling up around your home, there are two main things that you’ll want to make sure you have readily available. The first is a regular shovel. This is the most commonly used piece of snow equipment hands down. It’s perfect for stairs, inclines, and paths around the home. For larger jobs however, meaning anything wet, packed to tight, heavy, or just over about four inches, it’s recommended to have a snowblower at your disposal. This will help you clear your property safely and quickly, so you won’t have to worry about hurting your back while shoveling or spending all day on the task. Otherwise some helpful tools to keep on standby are a scraper for your car windows, a roof rake to clear out any ice dams, and in some cases, a snow pusher.
Car Preparation
The main reason snow is so hazardous is because of how it affects road conditions. There are several things you can do to combat this. First as mentioned, a snow scraper can help you see out of the windows of your car. Purchasing snow tires can be a huge help, especially in areas with low traffic. Otherwise, be sure to give yourself a little more time to reach your destination while there’s snow on the roads. Your average commute time is going to increase by a substantial amount. Another key point to driving in snow is experience in driving around in said weather. If you’re new to the area, or a young driver, feel free to practice beforehand.
Keep Your Sidewalks Safe
There are a number of different ways to keep your sidewalks and driveways safe, not just for yourself, but also any passersby who happen to walk past your house. First and foremost is ice melt. This breaks down ice and stops it from building up, thus becoming a major safety issue. Next, if you really want secure footing, sand can be added to improve traction. This is a genuine issue for highways and homes with ramp inclines, where you’ll want the maximum amount of traction available. Finally, to go the extra mile, there a reflectors that you can install for your home that mark out your property and walkways. Keep yourself and your guests on the path with these handy safety markers.
Supply Run
There are always a few things to have around the house when you’re snowed in. Aside from the cliche milk and bread, there are some beneficial items to stock up on before a storm hits. Adequate food, paper products, and comfort foods can go a long way in helping you through the storm. Also if the cable goes out, you’ll want something as backup to keep yourself entertained. Board games, DVD’s, and video games are all sensible investments for keeping the house occupants amused while the weather outside is frightful. If all else fails, there’s always the wine cabinet.
All it takes is a little bit of prep work to ensure that your snowy season doesn’t spoil your personal life too much. Having the right equipment and supplies is crucial. Otherwise it’s just a matter of driving around under harsh weather conditions. Just be sure to check up on everything, keep an eye out, keep your pantry full and your home and family safe.
Article written by Sean Mahan, also a writer for homeyou.com, a company that connects homeowners to reliable, affordable and professional contractors for their home improvement projects. Check more on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
