Snow Shoveling Tips for Your Driveway

Heavy snow is an annual occurrence in Nassau County, and one that will occur soon. Many people have the luxury of owning a snow blower or using a snow removal service like Stasi Snow, but for some life isn't so easy. If you are one of the brave warriors who shovels their driveway, we feel for you. That is why we are giving you these tips to shovel your driveway as quickly, easily, and safely as possible.

Safety First

Shoveling snow may seem like no more than a chore, but it is a physical activity (and can be a quite rigorous one depending on the quantity and weight of the snow) and should be treated as such. Proper precautions must be taken, such as stretching before starting and making sure to keep hydrated if it will be a long job. You will want to dress warm, but be careful not to overdress – you will quickly heat up once you start working.

Shovel in a Spider Web Fashion

The Wall Street Journal recommends shoveling your driveway in the pattern of a spider web for optimal efficiency. To do this, start in the center of the driveway, and shovel out to one corner. Continue walking back to the center and shoveling to the other three corners so there is a big “X” in your driveway. Then shovel the remaining spots, outlining your previous paths, as shown in the picture below. Doing this not only increases efficiency, it allows you to shovel shorter and shorter distances as your body tires.

Don't Shovel the Same Snow Twice

This is the cardinal rule of shoveling snow. If you choose not to use the shoveling method pictured above, pick a routine which prevents you from moving the same snow twice. Dump the first shovelfuls further away from you, and progressively drop them closer and closer as you progress through the driveway.

Save The Apron for Last

This goes hand-in-hand with the last tip, but save shoveling the apron of your driveway for last. The apron is the spot where your driveway meets the street. The reason you will want to save the apron for last is because chances are good that a plow will come by while you are shoveling and push snow from the street on to it. Not touching this spot until the end will ensure that you do not have to shovel a big pile of snow twice.

Stasi Brothers is a paving contractor and snow management serviced located in Nassau County, New York. We have been in business for a proud 52 years and hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For a full list of our services, visit our website or call 516-997-PAVE. You can also connect with us on social media by following us on Twitter or liking our page on Facebook.