topic Re: Clearing snow in Community Chat

Clearing snow

Shorty2U — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 20:52:14 GMT

For those who live where it snows do the road crews clear your snow everywhere or just the main highways? Do they clear it fast?

On the news last night; Everyone has 10 to 24 hrs to clean the snow from your property. (Depending what area you live in PA). OR be fined. I already knew this and DH cleaned our driveway, sidewalk and by the mailbox right after work yesterday (much less than 24 hrs).

Too bad the same doesn't go for street crews.

Our street and most streets are a sheet of solid ice and snow. They plowed once, and never laid one bit of salt. I haven't gone out but according to my son and husband ONLY highways and the main street where he lives and we live IS clear. All other streets are covered and slick more than 36 hrs after the storm. And they said driving is like driving on an obstacle course at times.

GRANTED its been below zero and single digits here, but my DH put salt out after shoveling and our pavement and driveway are clear. SO you would think they would lay salt so it would melt on the roads when the sun is out.

(I haven't been out for almost a week. I cannot afford to fall with my bad back. But I am going to put on my snow cleats today to try to go out to the Dr for my husbands appt and try to stop and eat just to get OUT of here. I also have a Dr appt tomorrow an hour away. Hopefully we get there OK with the bad roads IE another dusting of snow tonight and more snow Sat and possibly Sun and or Mon).

Re: Clearing snow

terrier3 — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 20:54:25 GMT

The salt they use in the street plows don't work when it gets too cold.

They are wasting salt if they put it down now. It's about 5 degrees in Buffalo...no salting for now!

Re: Clearing snow

Krimpette — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:04:12 GMT

I'm an old-timer, so I remember the days before they used salt. I lived in northeastern PA at the time. When we had icy roads, they sprayed them with cinders (this was a coal producing area back then ). Didn't melt the ice, but worked like kitty litter to minimize skidding.

Re: Clearing snow

RedTop — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:10:12 GMT

Our road is scraped promptly with every snowfall; mainly because of the number of schools around me. The state scraped around 8 p.m. last night, and went through again today about an hour ago. The road in front of the house is bare, but wet.

Re: Clearing snow

ShowMe — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:13:39 GMT

Shorty......maybe it would be a good idea for you to change your doctor's appointment......

About the streets in the area I live in, the city only plows the snow routes.....hardly ever plow the side streets. And last week when we had about 12" of snow here, there were many many complaints to the city about the side streets not being plowed. They are considering changing this now.....

I don't live in the city......live in the county......and it is much different here. They do put a special mixture down on the roads before the snow hits the area.....this is to minimize the freezing and refreezing.

And yes, when it is as cold as it is now.....like only about 9, salt does no good.....

Re: Clearing snow

Mersha — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:26:57 GMT

On 1/23/2014 Krimpette said:
I'm an old-timer, so I remember the days before they used salt. I lived in northeastern PA at the time. When we had icy roads, they sprayed them with cinders (this was a coal producing area back then ). Didn't melt the ice, but worked like kitty litter to minimize skidding.

Hi, Krimp! You really took me back to my childhood.

I grew up in Pittsburgh and remember my mother always hoping the "cinder truck" would get through so we could get out. We had amazing hills we had to navigate there.

Stay warm!

Re: Clearing snow

Krimpette — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:47:58 GMT

On 1/23/2014 Mersha said:
On 1/23/2014 Krimpette said:
I'm an old-timer, so I remember the days before they used salt. I lived in northeastern PA at the time. When we had icy roads, they sprayed them with cinders (this was a coal producing area back then ). Didn't melt the ice, but worked like kitty litter to minimize skidding.

Hi, Krimp! You really took me back to my childhood.

I grew up in Pittsburgh and remember my mother always hoping the "cinder truck" would get through so we could get out. We had amazing hills we had to navigate there.

Stay warm!

Hard to do in this weather!!!!!!!! Looks like there's some melting on my little street. It was all ice earlier this morning. Looked like they needed some cinders!!!

Re: Clearing snow

Luv2Decorate — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:48:09 GMT

Yesterday they told us we were going to get 1-4 inches of snow, ended up with 16 inches. We snowblowed our walkways and our snowplow guy came and took care of our drive in the middle of the night. Our road wasn't plowed, they did that this afternoon. I don't think I've ever seen this much snow on the ground. We have several feet, but it is beautiful! They are saying we are supposed to get another 8 inches overnight. They didn't cancel school since we are hearty souls

Re: Clearing snow

CLHS68 — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 22:41:18 GMT

No Our street is not plowed. I had to go to the hospital to have a scan done and the roads were a nightmare.

I remember cinders also snow fence which they no longer use and it really worked to keep snow from blowing back on the road.

Re: Clearing snow

Yardlie — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 22:57:57 GMT

They clear all the streets where I live, but you have to do your driveway and sidewalks. You have 24 hours after the snowfall to do the sidewalk or the city will do it and charge you.

Right now we've got to hire someone to shovel our roof as roofs are collapsing due to the heavy snow. We also had an ice dam over one room, and it was leaking in there.

Re: Clearing snow

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:10:57 GMT

Interesting. They plow all the streets here, and pretty promptly. They salt as necessary, too. Sidewalks are done by the city or town as well.

As far as I know there is no law about clearing your own property. I guess I can see having to clear the sidewalk in front of your house if the local gov't does not, but why does it matter to anyone but yourself how clean your driveway is???

PS, this is Rochester NY area, we do get quite a bit of snow.

Re: Clearing snow

Yardlie — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:20:38 GMT

You don't have to do your driveway here if you don't want to, but then there is no place to put your car because there are rules about parking on the streets in snow emergencies.

Re: Clearing snow

Melania — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:33:45 GMT

On 1/23/2014 terrier3 said:
The salt they use in the street plows don't work when it gets too cold.

They are wasting salt if they put it down now. It's about 5 degrees in Buffalo...no salting for now!

Exactly!!! Facts are important.

Re: Clearing snow

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:39:18 GMT

The general rule of thumb here is that only main roads and secondary roads are salted. Mains and secondaries are plowed first and when those are done, then they move to side streets. Obviously common sense would say they have to keep the main roads and secondary roads cleared before they bother with side streets.

Our city doesn't have the money to salt every single street plus last year there was a salt shortage.

it is extremely cold here today in Ohio and I did see salt trucks out laying down salt. I just shook my head but it doesn't surprise me. My DH works for the city so I know some of the not so bright things that go on.

Re: Clearing snow

GCR18 — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:39:56 GMT

The main roads are plowed timely here. The side streets are another story. If the snow is under a couple inches, my street doesn't get plowed. When we have a major snow storm, they don't come until every snow flake has fallen.

Re: Clearing snow

Cranberries — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:45:44 GMT

The city does the streets, people are responsible for their own sidewalks, parking, driveways. They salt and sand streets, but I think it's mostly sand which just makes a mess, and mostly just salted/sanded on the main streets. They have a priority type plowing process. Busiest streets first, then secondary, side, alleys, etc.

Sometimes no street parking goes into affect so they can evenly plow. If you don't move your car you get the sticker that it will be towed. I think it's something like within the first 12-24 hours to move the car so they can plow (?) Not for sure 100%, I don't park on the street but I have seen cars with the bright orange sticker on the window.

Re: Clearing snow

boby — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:54:07 GMT

The concept behind salting is that you put the salt down before the snow falls, because then more of it will melt.

In our small (5,000) town they don't even send the plows out until we have 2 inches on the ground. By then its too late for salt. They do a pretty good job making our narrow streets as passable as possible, mainly with lots of sand and gravel.

I would like to add that the town Commissioner of Roads lives two doors down, so we get real good service, even though we live on a dead end street.

Re: Clearing snow

terrier3 — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:44:35 GMT

One of our suburbs provides small tractors that clear sidewalks on all streets, including residential.

Now THAT'S service!

Re: Clearing snow

muttmom — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 05:28:18 GMT

Shorty, based on all your posts, you really seem to dislike winter. Maybe with all your health problems, a warmer climate would be better for you.

Re: Clearing snow

Shorty2U — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 07:31:42 GMT

Thanks for the replies. We live in the country (in a development), and I don't know why they don't salt everywhere but maybe it is due to the above comments about the salt they use not working in the really cold weather. (that is probably why).

I remember cinders too. AND I remember chains on tires!

I went with my husband this afternoon (short distance to his Dr and to eat out). Only the main street was totally clear and streets near the school/doctor. The rest were a mess. It seems they did snow emergency routes only.

We will find out tomorrow what the roads are like going to my Dr. which is an hour away. And yes muttmom I hate winter. (Im sorry but I am actually starting to get miserable so maybe I shouldn't post about it and I cant change the weather anyway). I am cooped up a lot (when my back is bad) in warm weather, but in warm weather I can make it to the porch to get fresh air. In this weather I cant sit out. But a warm climate is not an option unless I leave my husband. (not..lol.). He works @ his job for 26 years. And my children/grandchildren are an hour away.

I have an old (school) friend in CA and she keeps telling me to visit. If I knew my back would hold up for the flight and visit I would go there for a month! lol.