As we’ve discussed in one of our recent posts, snow removal in Maryland is not something you can neglect. Yes, it will melt eventually but not fast enough to stop being a nuisance and a hazard. Depending on where you live, you might be required to remove snow from pathways within a certain distance of your home. But even if you won’t be facing a fine, digging out your car or clearing the steps to your door is still a necessity. Fortunately, there are many tools available to homeowners when it comes to snow removal.
Shovel
An old-school snow shovel gets the job done, but only if you are ready to work it. Shoveling is a rather physically demanding activity and can lead to back and joint injuries when done wrong. The idea is to clear an area by tossing the snow somewhere else. However, you are not allowed to throw snow on roads or sidewalks, which means you might have to do a bit of walking to dump the snow where it won’t get in the way. Sometimes, you might be able to find someone to shovel for you, either for a small fee or out of kindness, but that’s not a very reliable plan when you are in a rush to dig your car out and get going.
Snow Blower
A snow blower is a winter version of your lawn mower—there are smaller models you can push or bigger ones you can ride. It definitely makes it easier to remove snow, but it’s double the work if you need to clear a large area, as the blower can only throw snow so far. There are several things you should consider before running to Home Depot and buying one of these gadgets:
Do you have a place to store it?
It’s not as compact as a shovel and if you don’t have a garage (or have one that’s packed to the brim), it might be challenging to find a spot for it.
Is it worth it?
Snow blowers can cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. And Maryland winters are generally not that snowy to justify the need for this expensive piece of equipment. Having a local Maryland snow removal company on a retainer could cost you less over five years than owning a snow blower.
Does it Even Work?
Yes, snow blowers are wonderful for removing that white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky. However, that’s the only type of snow they are good for. For snow that’s moisture-heavy, compacted, frozen solid or borderline slush you might still need a shovel.
Snow Plow Attachment
If you own a truck, you could buy an attachment to turn your truck into a snow plow. But that doesn’t make you a plowing expert. Maneuvering on a truck in a tight space is not the easiest thing to do and takes some practice. A plow does save a lot of time wasted on shoveling and even snow-blowing, but it might not be the best solution for small or narrow driveways. There are also ATV-sized snow plows you can purchase that have a comfortable cabin, but it’s another piece of machinery you need to store and maintain.
So, what is your weapon of choice for removing snow in Maryland? We might only get a bad storm two or three times a winter, but each one of those times you want to be prepared. If you are looking for a trusted snow removal company to come clean your residential or commercial driveway, keep 1-855-Got-Paving in mind and give us a call for an estimate.
