I’ll be the first to admit, I love it when it snows a lot. I become the little kid when the snowflakes start falling and covering everything. I want jump right into the snow. But what about when the driveway needs to be cleared of snow? Nope, I hate that chore. My husband usually solves it (love him), but when he’s not here, I’ve had to use some ingenuity. If you are anything like me, and get cold just thinking about scraping a shovel against the pavement, here are some smart snow removal hacks and ways to clear the driveway without a shovel. Some of them are so genius you’ll be asking yourself why you ever took a shovel to begin with!
Leaf Blower
Yes, your trusty leaf blower isn’t just for autumn leaves. If the snow is light and fluffy (not that heavy, wet stuff), a leaf blower can clear your driveway in minutes. Just make sure the nozzle is powerful enough to push the snow aside. Bonus: No back pain!
De-icer
This one is an icy driveway’s best friend. Maybe there is an easy and effective alternative that doesn’t involve salt, and doesn’t break the bank: a de-icer (you can purchase it at most hardware stores). It melts the snow and ice and it’s INCREDIBLY easy to clear. I’ve also attempted a homemade de-icer made of water, vinegar and a little salt — it’s not as potent as store-bought options, but it works in a pinch.
Snow Blower
Investing in a snow blower is a game-changer (My husband uses it all the time), especially if you live in an area with heavy snowfall. It’s fast and saves you a ton of energy. My husband swears by ours and says it’s the best purchase we’ve ever made for winter.
Snow-Melting Mats
This is one of those high-tech remedies that feels like a magic trick. Heated snow-melting mats that melt snow as it falls. You simply lay them out on your driveway before a storm, plug them in and let them do their job. It’s not the least expensive option, but it’s perfect if you loathe snow removal as much as I do.
Hire a Neighborhood Kid
Sometimes the easiest solution is outsourcing. Got a kid in the neighborhood looking to earn some extra cash? Hand them the job. It’s a win-win: you stay warm inside, and they get a little spending money. And they love doing it truly. When I was a kid, I also did this job. I was so happy when I first got my money.
Plastic Tarp
This hack is pure genius. Put a plastic tarp out on your driveway before the snow starts. And when the snowstorm has abated, you simply pull the tarp off and voilà — your driveway is ready to receive. I’ve done this a couple times already and it’s made life much easier, especially for the small stuff.
Heated Driveway Systems
Consider installing a heated driveway system when building a new home or a doing a significant remodeling job. These heating systems would warm the concrete beneath the pavement and could melt snow as it hit the ground. It’s an expensive investment over the long term, but it also means never having to shovel snow. Imagine the freedom!
Broom
When I don’t have any fancy tools, you can still use your broom. It’s not as quick as a snow blower, but it does the job when you’re in a bind.
Electric Snow Shovel
It’s the half measure between a regular shovel and a snow blower. It’s also easy to use, light in weight and powered by electricity. I like it for the effort it saves over shoveling and for the way it clears snow well.
Roof Rake
Hear me out: Roof rakes are not just for roofs. These long-handled can snake around the driveway and chisel snow off in the hard-to-reach places. I have one I use for knocking snow off mounts near the garage and it’s great.
Make Snowballs
This one is more for fun, but I’ve done it in desperate circumstances (confession time). If you’re stranded with nothing else, coagulate the snow into snowballs and fling them away. It’s certainly not the quickest way, but it has the ability to turn the seemingly endless task into a bit of a game! Try to remember when you were a child.
Watch and Wait
All you have to do sometimes is wait. I know how this sounds. Let me tell you what I mean. If it’s going to be a little warmer, let the sun work its magic for you. It will all just melt away, and you’ll never have to lift a finger. This technique has saved me on more than one occasion when I’m feeling particularly unmotivated. But there are also the occasions when you really CAN’T wait. You you it needs time if the sun melts the snow if too much.
Wheelbarrow Plow
Wheelbarrow If you have a wheelbarrow, you can improvise a snow plow. Then push the fabric across your driveway, and it will scoop up the snow for you. It’s not perfect, but is surprisingly effective for maybe an inch of snow. Try it and find out yourself.
Ask the City
See if your city provides snow removal. They’ll be clearing driveways in some places for a small charge, or a hundred per cent free in others. It’s worth picking up the phone and finding out — you never know! For example, my town does driveways and I haven’t had to take them up on their offer (my hubs is a beast at snow removal), but now that I think about it, they maybe the fastest option when there is an “emergency”.
Your Own Two Feet
When all else fails, stomp it out! Don’t mind a bit of a workout.
And there you have it, several ways to get snow out of the drive without a shovel! Not everyone has a superman husband like me, hahaha.
