The snows that come every winter can prove to be a major challenge for any homeowner. Simple plowing of the driveway, walkways, and patios should be a no-brainer. However, while this regular task keeps us safe when going in and out of the house, it doesn’t always ensure the best results for our landscape. The snow that has been thrown with a shovel or pushed aside by a plow packs down from its natural state, forming an icy pile that can take several months to melt. In the meantime, buried grasses and foliage get suffocated and deprived of spring’s first sunlight, unsightly gray piles of snow last until May, and any exposed dirt becomes a bubbling mud pit. To avoid this nightmare again this year, here are some safe snow plowing techniques that preserve properties in Somers and Croton, NY areas.
Let the Professionals Help
First and foremost, the pros are concerned with safety. Anyone familiar with winter knows that shoveling snow is back-breaking work that can often consume a whole morning. And the process does injure thousands every year. Even with the sturdiest of shovels, a back brace, some studded boots, and a few members of the high school football team to help, it can still be a monumental task to clear the snow off your surfaces. By setting up a contract with a landscaping professional, you can rest easy knowing that no one is getting hurt while removing snow.
Taking It Far Away
Simply moving the snow to a different spot on the lawn or to the side of the driveway doesn’t take care of the problem. It actually makes matters worse. Apart from the icy piles, muddy pits, and suffocated greenscapes, the spring runoff is exacerbated. The ground becomes saturated with water, and the snowmelt that would have normally seeped into the soil just washes away. By removing snow instead of just relocating it on your property, landscaping professionals will haul away the snow to a place where it doesn’t affect your property.
A Gentle Touch
Every snow and ice removal activity should be pre-planned and scheduled according to the contract. A site visit conducted by a manager before the snow falls will ensure that your property is mapped out and none of the sensitive features of your landscape are damaged by plows or shovels. Professionals take the equipment into consideration, as well. The steel edges used on many shovels and plows can wreak havoc on a paver driveway or unmarked landscapes, leaving deep scars in your lawn and destroyed pavers. Check with your landscape professionals to see that they use rubber tips on their shovels and plows to avoid damaging your property during plowing and ice management.
The Right Chemicals
Considering the amount of water that seeps into the ground or runs off from your property, it’s very important to take into consideration which chemicals are melting ice and entering the ecosystem. Much like many fertilizers, the chemicals used in the deicing of surfaces can damage your greenscape or even contribute to water pollution. Many deicing chemicals can burn blades of grass or leaves of any plant it contacts. After shoveling and plowing, a professional should use a sustainable amount of a salt compound known for safely removing ice while treating surrounding plants with care. This way, you remain safe, your property stays beautiful, and the local ecosystem can flourish.
Related: THINK SPRING! HIRE A LANDSCAPE COMPANY TO REFRESH YOUR SCARSDALE, NY, BACKYARD