(no subject)

[mogwaikisses.livejournal.com]

Ok, snow confuses me. I have read the tagged posts -- someone complained that someone else didn't shovel / ice the sidewalk in front of their house, and they hurt themselves.

Who is responsible for that task? I rent in an 8-unit apartment building. Am I supposed to do that, since I'm on the first floor? Is there one designated resident to do that? Does the landlord bear the responsibility?

If I AM supposed to do it, where do I get salt? And what do you do, just sprinkle it all around?

I noticed a big blue barrel at the corner with sand in it. Can I use that, or is that a private barrel? It is right on the sidewalk on the street corner.

Also, what if there is a snow emergency declared, and it is street sweeping day on the odd side of the street? Does that mean you just can't park anywhere? I hear it is going to snow like mad Friday, and Friday is stupid street sweeping day.

I know I sound like a complete idiot, but seriously, there's no snow in Texas! At least, not like this...

Comments

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

You also appear to be from a warmer state, and this is your first New England winter. Here's how to clear snow:

1. light covering. Use a broom.
2. wet slosh that a broom won't work on: snow shovel
3. Anything deeper that a broom won't work on: snow shovel.
4. (Some) ice. If you're lucky, you can use the edge of the shovel to crack the ice, then scoop under the ice to get rid of it.
5. Really Nasty Ice: scrape as much as possible with the shovel. Sprinkle sand/"ice melt" salt on the ice. (Use either a plastic cup/scoop of some kind to grab some, and pour it via "shakes" to sprinkle around). You don't need to use a lot. One 6-8 ounce cup per 3foot x 3foot area is more than enough. I use even less most times.

Ice Melt stuff works by lowering the freezing point of the water it touches. I don't know the science, but basically if the temperature is as much as 10-20 degrees below freezing, the Ice Melt will work to some extent. Sometimes it just "melts" the ice into water and the whole area just has liquid puddles in freezing temperatures. Other times (colder weather) you will see little holes where the Ice Melt sank into the ice. If this is the case, you'll have to come back later (half hour or more) and try to shift aside the broken up ice to truely clear the ice away.

This stuff is horrid on plants too, so don't shovel Ice Melt'd ice/slush onto your prize rose garden!

[douxquemiel.livejournal.com]

Very nice suggestions; my boyfriend has been a fan of sleeve-brushing fluffy snow off our car for years now.

Just FYI, sand only works to give you traction on the ice; it won't melt or break down the ice if you're just shoveling it. BUT, it's good for AFTER you've shoveled, if there's still a layer of ice (as that happens, often, during New England winters). And even if you've shoveled a path clean, I wouldn't suggest just putting down ice-melt-- it being New England, there will be more precipitation, and more freezing weather. Sand is the best thing for slippery steps and front pathways.

[roosto.livejournal.com]

Another handy tool for clearing the walk is an ice scraper (http://www.neeps.com/seasonal-tools-scrapers.html). It's pretty much essential if there is anything more than a thin sheet of ice. As koshmom states when there is some ice you can use the edge of the snow shovel to break it up. When the ice is 1/4" or more you'll need the ice scraper to break up the ice. Using your garden variety snow shovel on ice like this will not only be very ineffective, but will probably ruin the shovel.

Don't worry, I moved here from Berkeley, CA and I've gotten used to the various complications that snow brings. I would say the number one invaluable item for snow days are good water proof boots. They can be on the pricey side, but having warm dry feet when stomping around in the slushy remnants of a large snow fall will make them worth every penny.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

These are very good suggestions. Here are a few more:

2a. Clearing wet snow is really hard work. It's a solid workout for people in good shape, and it can be dangerously stressful for people who are not in shape. Take breaks. Catch your breath. Go inside and drink water and hot cider.

5a. Really nasty ice is dangerous to walk on. Be particularly careful of stairs and bridges, as they tend to ice sooner than other surfaces. When you put your foot down on a surface covered in light snow, there may be ice underneath.
5b. Don't walk with your hands in your pockets. Yes, breaking your fall with your hand risks a hand injury, but landing directly on your face or elbow is worse. Get good gloves.
5c. Many hardware stores sell Yaktrax, which work kind of like snowtires for your shoes, helping with traction on ice. I recommend them highly.