If you live in an area that experiences heavy snow, you need a reliable snow removal service. A well-trained team can prevent accidents and keep your property safe.

It’s important to remember that snow removal starts prior to a storm. De-icing materials are spread before the snow falls, followed by plowing. Contact Snow Removal Colorado Springs for professional help.

Snow removal is a strenuous activity that can lead to back, neck and shoulder injuries if done incorrectly. It’s important to understand how to optimize your shoveling time to reduce your risk of injury and prevent overexertion. Shoveling in shifts throughout the day is also recommended to avoid putting too much strain on your body and tools. Taking frequent breaks to stretch and drink water helps keep you alert and prevents overexertion.

The ideal window for shoveling falls between late morning and early afternoon. During this period, the body has fully warmed up and reaction times improve, reducing the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries that account for over 50% of snow removal emergency room visits. It’s also crucial to understand the differences between different types of snow. Fresh, light powder snow should be cleared as soon as possible to minimize the amount of work needed. Waiting even a few hours can transform this snow into dense, hard-to-remove packed snow that will turn to dangerous ice when temperatures drop.

Similarly, wet snow needs immediate attention to avoid the formation of ice and to ensure that pedestrians can safely traverse pathways. It’s also important to clear around fire hydrants, as these critical access points can be difficult to locate in the event of an emergency and delay lifesaving responses.

Shoveling snow at the optimal time of day isn’t just a good idea, it’s often required by law. Most municipalities require that homeowners clear the full width of sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 24 hours after snowfall ends, and failure to comply can result in hefty fines.

While shoveling is a great way to get some exercise, it’s not recommended for people with heart conditions or other health concerns. Physical exertion increases blood pressure, which can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke in susceptible individuals. If you are concerned about your cardiovascular health, talk to your doctor before shoveling and consider using a snow blower or asking for help from family members or friends. For severe health or safety concerns, hiring professionals is a safer option.

Snow Blowers

The snow blower takes center stage any time significant snowfalls hit the nation. These machines can move snow from your driveway, sidewalks, and even roads. They also come in handy when you need to clear a path out of your garage or up to the front door. The first thing to consider when considering this equipment is how much snow your area typically receives and the size of your property. If your region experiences light flurries often, you may get away with a shovel or smaller machine. However, if heavy snowfalls are common, this is when investing in a larger solution like a professional-grade Ariens or Toro snow blower is worthwhile.

These machines come in a variety of sizes and models, from single-stage to two-stage. The former uses an auger to scoop up snow and then discharges it through a chute. This makes it a good choice for small areas, as it can quickly remove the average amount of snowfall with ease. It’s important to note, though, that the auger contacts the ground, which means these blowers are not suitable for unpaved surfaces.

Electric single-stage snow blowers are lightweight and eco-friendly, ideal for small spaces and requiring little maintenance or fuel. Gas-powered single-stage models are more powerful and can handle heavier snowfalls but require regular maintenance and regular refueling.

Two-stage snow blowers use an auger and a high-speed impeller to gather and throw snow, making them the ideal choice for medium to large areas. They can move wet, slushy snow much more effectively than a single-stage model and do not clog easily. They can also tackle drifts and work well on gravel surfaces.

Some snow blowers can be mounted on utility task vehicles (UTV), sometimes known as side-by-sides or all-terrain vehicles (ATV), which make them a convenient choice for homeowners who already own these types of vehicles. They can be used in both forward and reverse to move snow, and can be equipped with cab enclosures to keep the operator comfortable. These devices are more expensive than stand-alone snow blowers, but can save you a lot of time and effort when clearing large snowfalls.

Salting

The application of salt, either by broom or spreader, is used to control surface ice and snow during winter storms. Prior to the onset of a major storm, roads are pre-treated with a salt brine solution. During the storm, all primary roads are kept in drivable condition and quickly returned to normal status. Secondary streets may be treated as necessary, especially at intersections, hills and curves.

During a storm, several hundred tons of rock salt and deicing chemicals are available in Jersey City’s 85 salt spreaders and plow trucks. Several salt domes located throughout the city provide storage capacity for upward of 6,500 tons at any time.

In recent years, municipal agencies have begun to equip their crews with new training and tools that help them apply salt and deicer more efficiently. These “smart salting” techniques minimize chloride pollution while keeping roadways safe. The MPCA maintains a list of smart-salting certified contractors.

Plowing and applying deicing chemicals are most effective when done early in a snowstorm, before the accumulation becomes compacted by traffic. Keeping sidewalks clear is also important, and residents should refrain from putting cones or lawn chairs in front of driveways to reserve parking spaces during a snowstorm, so plows can get through. In addition, it’s always best to use a shovel or snow blower rather than a cart or wheelbarrow to move snow and ice, which can result in more salt and ice contamination. It’s also a good idea to sweep up sand or grit once it’s no longer needed, as this will reduce pollution and save money.

Snow Removal Equipment

Snow removal equipment helps businesses mitigate the impact of winter weather on workflow, keeping operations on track and productivity high. H.O. Penn offers a wide range of snow removal tools from the world leader in heavy-duty machinery, Caterpillar.

When it comes to snow removal, choosing the right tools for your operation depends on the size of your area and average snowfall. Shovels and scrapers are ideal for smaller areas with lighter snowfall, while larger power shovels can help you move heavier accumulations faster. Snow blowers are also available, offering a basic straight-line plow configuration that can send the snow a long distance away. These units are mounted to trucks or tractors and can clear parking lots, roads and other large flat areas quickly.

For more severe snow conditions, wheel loaders and skid steers are excellent choices. These highly maneuverable machines can navigate narrow spaces with ease, and they feature tracks that preserve the integrity of surfaces like asphalt and pavement as they cut through layers of snow. If you need an even more efficient option for clearing flat surfaces, salt spreaders are a great choice. These devices cast salt and other ice-melting chemicals across the surface, helping to prevent refreezing.

Whether you need a simple shovel or powerful snow removal equipment, we have everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly this winter. Shop online for fast delivery or free in-store pickup at your local H.O. Penn location. For more information on our equipment, contact us today.