It’s snowy season in Ontario, and everyone is gearing up to enjoy the season and make snow angels. While the snow does look magical, it needs to be regularly removed before it forms into ice. Whether you own a house or live in a rental home, every property owner in Ontario is required to clear ice and snow from their property within 24 hours of a snowfall by law. This includes removing snow from sidewalks, driveways, parking spaces, ramps, and steps, etc. Failure to comply with the law may result in a fine.  So, knowing how to remove snow from your house is the best way to prevent that from happening and stay in compliance with the public ordinance. In this article below, we have mentioned different tips and techniques for homeowners to apply when clearing their property of snow. While snow removal companies like Custodia are excellent at this job, you should learn a few methods yourself to have a snow-free property all the time. So, let’s dive in.  Effective Snow Removal Techniques From Your House According to a report, Ontario gets around 51″ of snow cover on average every year, where January is the snowiest month of the year for most Canadians. While snow does look majestic and adds charm to the winter magic, accumulated snow can halt daily activities and sometimes result in severe accidents. Therefore, there are laws and regulations in place for removing snow around the house.  To make sure you comply with these laws, here are a few effective snow removal techniques:  Shoveling Shoveling is one of the most common, effective, and eco-friendly ways of removing snow and ice from any property. However, before you shovel the sideways, driveways, steps, ramps, and other areas around the house, the correct posture is necessary to prevent any injuries. When shovelling, make sure to keep your back straight, knees bent, and lift with your legs. Keeping your core muscles engaged to support your spine will minimize the strain on the lower back, avoiding any back pain later.  Moreover, if you already have back pain problems, try to use only a lightweight and ergonomic shovel. Plus, shovel as early as possible while the snow is still fresh and before it becomes harder to remove. However, it is only sometimes the most efficient way of doing so. If the snow is a few feet high and you have a vast property to clear, look for other ways to clear snow. Also, for seniors, hiring professional snow removal services like Custodia is recommended, as they can handle snow piles in no time. Plus, their handyman services cater to a range of other home maintenance needs. Using an Energy-Efficient Snow Blower Well, shovelling can be time-consuming and a daunting task, especially if there is a heavy snowfall. In this case, snowblowing goes a long way. Traditionally, gas snow blowers are used mainly due to their powerful performance and ability to clear out heavy snow quickly and efficiently. However, better alternatives, such as battery-operated electric snow blowers, are becoming popular. They are more energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and reliable options than their traditional counterpart.  Using an energy-efficient snowblower will not only blast snow off your property but also reduce carbon emissions into the air. Before using it, carefully inspect the blower to ensure it is clean and functional. Moreover, remember to wear safety gloves and boots when using the snow blower to clear the property. Operate the snow blower at a steady pace, as you want to keep the machine manageable. Lastly, blow the snow in the same direction so that you do not have to clear the same area repeatedly. Using a De-Icer Another effective technique for removing snow from around the house is using a de-icer. It is a chemical that is used to melt the ice or prevent it from forming by lowering the freezing point of the water. Removing snow and ice from around the house by using a de-icer starts right before snowfall. You need to apply it on surfaces such as sidewalks, roads, and parking spaces before a snow or ice event hits. Doing so will create a barrier between the surface and the incoming snow so that you can easily scrape it off later.  Applying the de-icer will make it easier for you to remove the snow and ice using a shovel, which eventually reduces the risks of any injuries and accidents. This will not only save you a lot of time but also keep you and your family safe. However, make sure you are not overapplying the de-icer, as it can be damaging to the surface. Make sure to apply it within 48 hours before or after the storm so that it can prevent the snow from forming into ice.  Using Hot Water The cheapest and easiest way of melting snow from the property is preparing a mixture of hot water with a few drops of dish soap and a little rubbing alcohol. The hot water will melt the snow, and the rubbing alcohol will speed up thr melting process, giving the desired results in no time. After preparing this DIY mixture, pour it over the ice on driveways, sidewalks, ramps, and anywhere where the snow has accumulated.  However, this method requires you to be extra careful to prevent any injuries and hazards. Before pouring the mixture, wear waterproof and insulated boots to avoid any burns and accidents. But only if you have a small property with a small driveway can hot water be an effective way to melt and remove snow from the house quickly. This method will not work if you want to melt a significant amount of snow from a large property.  Using Heated Snow Melting Pads If you are looking for another eco-friendly and safe method of getting rid of snow and ice from your property, heated snow melting pads are the best solution. The best thing about using melting pads is that they can be left outside for a long…
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