IT'S COMING, you know it is

We don’t know when or how much, but snow is inevitable in North Dakota and Minnesota. The last couple of have years have seen record snow fall in the region, and this year is predicted to be heavy as well.

Precision Lawn & Landscape can handle your snow removal needs, on a contracted or as-needed basis, to help you deal with what can be the biggest burden of winter. The professionals at Precision would like to offer the following snow management tips.

1. USE TALL STAKES AROUND DRIVEWAYS AND WALKWAYS

It’s helpful to plant large stakes around your driveway and other walkways. When hiring a professional like Precision Lawn & Landscape, the stakes will be provided for you and removed at the end of the season. While you may think you’ll know exactly where your driveway is, it’s not as easy to locate with a couple of feet of snow.

2. USE A GOOD SHOVEL

Shoveling snow during the winter is typically cold and time consuming. Hiring a professional service can alleviate this early morning hassle. However, if you’re going it alone, a good shovel will make all the difference. While it might be tempting to buy a cheap shovel when you’re making your decision, it’s not always advisable to go with the cheapest option.

Ergonomic shovels will save you a lot of back pain and make pushing snow easier on light snow falls. However, when shoveling back piles, straight handle shovels will be more effective and easier to use. If you’re property suffers from routine heavy drifts, and you do not have a snow blower, you may consider buying both types to ensure you’re using the right tool for the job.

There are a few factors to keep in mind when picking the best shovel for your property. First, a metal bladed shovel can cause damage and scratching on your porch or driveway. Most professionals will not use metal bladed shovels to protect your concrete. Plastic shovels come in a range of sizes and hardness. Small shovels are going to be easy to use but less time efficient, while larger shovels will be quicker but a lot more intensive. Soft plastic shovels will degrade faster due to friction but are more tolerant of severe cold and don’t break as easily. Hard plastic shovels cut into snow more easily but tend to chip or break in severe cold. To get the maximum return on your shovel, store it inside when its not used. Prolonged exposure to severe cold can make the plastic more brittle and prone to damage.

3. AVOID PLACING SNOW NEAR THE FOUNDATION

This is a mistake that a lot of homeowners simply don’t consider when they’re removing snow. Whether they’re removing snow from a roof, from a deck, or from the driveway, you should avoid piling snow next to the side of your house. This will only lead to issues such as frozen pipes and even potentially cause cracks in your home’s foundation.

4. BE SAFE

Shoveling snow can be a grueling activity, especially as you get older. If you don’t plan to hire a professional snow removal service like Precision Lawn & Landscape, then it’s best that you follow these safety tips.

• Bend your knees and lift with your legs.

• Keep the blade close to you as you lift the snow.

• Switch between shoveling left-handed and right-handed to avoid overstraining one side of the body.

• Periodically switch your grip between overhand and underhand.

• Disperse the snow as you go and avoid making large piles.

• Know your limits.

5. SHOVEL OFTEN

Whenever you’re removing snow, the reality is that it needs to be done frequently. Many snow removal companies may even visit multiple times during severe storms, especially if there’s high winds. It’s much easier and faster to shovel three inches of snow twice than six inches of snow once. If snow starts to accumulate, try to stay ahead of it and routinely shovel throughout the storm, your body will thank you. If the snow becomes unmanageable, do not hesitate to call Precision Lawn & Landscape for a one-time cleanup.

6. SHOVEL FLAT ROOFS

If you have a flat roof that is easily accessible, you can shovel your roof, but it’s important that you don’t damage your roof covering. Also, you should always consider your own personal safety before attempting to shovel your roof.

7. USE ROOF RAKES FOR SLOPED ROOFS

It may be possible to remove snow and ice from a sloped roof using a roof rake, which is a long-handled tool that is specifically designed for this reason.

8. CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF ICE MELT

There are a bunch of different options you can use to eliminate a slippery driveway and even a walkway such as salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate and urea. Learning about the potential consequences of using each form of ice melt is important because these items can end up damaging plants, damaging flooring in your house, damage or discolor your pavement, or harm your pets.

9. CALL PRECISION LAWN AND LANDSCAPE

We do the heavy lifting all year long. These tips will help you work through snow removal on your own if needed, but we’ve got your back, literally. Precision Lawn & Landscape offers residential and commercial snow removal, roof snow removal, ice dam removal, hauling, deicing and much more. Don’t spend another year dreading the snow!