Snow Removal: What to Do After a Blizzard

Sidewalks and Stairs

Without a doubt, the sun makes for the best snow melter. Get out early and shovel sidewalks and stairs so that post-blizzard sunlight can warm up the pavement beneath. Doing this will prevent ice from forming and slippery walks.

Photo Credit: jupiterimages

Salt-based compounds like Blizzard Wizard and Driveway Heat can also help melt icy patches. Apply overnight to prevent melting snow from refreezing. Be careful not to over apply de-icers, as these products can corrode sidewalks and damage plants.

Photo Credit: flickr/Hermielou Maria

Mailbox

Make your mailman's life easier and cut a trail for him to swing closer to the mailbox.

Photo Credit: Alamy

Fire Hydrant

If snow has covered the fire hydrant on your street, take the time to clear it and the surrounding area. This will enable firefighters to locate the hydrant easily in case of an emergency.

Photo Credit: flickr/~Ealasaid~

Trash and Recycling

Unlike the picturesque snow fall depicted in holiday cards, snow storms usually include howling wind. And when wind howls, it blows stuff around such as trash can lids and snow drifts. If trash day is coming up, shovel the snow off the top of trash cans and recycle bins.

Photo Credit: flickr/essygie

Prepare for Snowbanks

As clean as you make your driveway, there's a good chance a city plow will deposit a snowbank in front of it no matter what. Try shoveling a small track for your car's wheels so you can get in and out of your driveway easily.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Also, position the car in the driveway so that the back faces your house. This way you'll have a clear view as you navigate the snow bank.

Photo Credit: flickr/Mrs. Gemstone

Cars

Brush snow off cars and make sure to clear the snow off car roofs. This will prevent potential accidents caused by huge slabs of snow flying off your car roof when traveling on the highway.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

A push-broom will make the job easy and sweep off the snow in a few minutes. Some push brooms have metal brackets around the bristle head. To keep from scratching vehicles, wrap duct tape around this material to help protect your car's paint.

Photo Credit:

Wipers

The easiest things to mangle when cleaning snow from the car are the wipers. To clean more efficiently, fold them back from the windshield before the snow falls.  If you forget, make sure the wipers are de-iced from the glass before turning them on. Doing this will protect the rubber blades.

Photo Credit: flickr/Endlisnis

Turn Off the Water

If you haven't turned off the water supply to your outside hoses, a foot of snow should serve as a pretty good reminder that you shouldn't wait anymore. The dangers of not turning off the water include frozen pipes that break or bend from the ice buildup.

Photo Credit: flickr/M. Temper