topic Re: When Do You Start Shoveling? in Community Chat

When Do You Start Shoveling?

Biftu — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:53:17 GMT

I tend to wait until the snow stops, but today it is suppose to continue through the night. I don't want to shovel in the dark when temperatures drop. Dread shoveling while it is still snowing but think I should get a jump on it.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

threecees — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:00:19 GMT

It depends on how much snow we are getting and if I have help or not.

So today in PA our snow is almost done. We only got about 2 inches and my

son and I just did our driveway. He used a large broom and I used the shovel,

our snow is powdery soft.

If we were getting a huge snowstorm, I would try to do it around halfway

through if possible. To let it all go at once and try to shovel heavy snow is

backbreaking work.

Anyway, we have a long driveway and I did it mostly by myself for most of

the last 20 years. Kids help here and there when home. Lucky today I had

help.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Kachina624 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:00:35 GMT

@Biftu. I never shovel snow. It usually snows overnight here, commonly 3-4 inches, sometimes more. It's so dry with very low humidity, that it normally evaporates by noon. If I have to go somewhere early, my AWD SUV goes right through it.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

drizzellla — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:11:09 GMT

So far only one neighbor had completeliy shoveled their driveway and cleaned their cars off and put the wiper blades up. And their driveway is now completely white.

No one else up and down the street has touched their driveway or cars. Even the Phys Ed teacher hasn't started to shovel. And shall I say he has well toned muscles.

The Township did go through with a plow. The first of many trips to come.

@Biftu good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:33:41 GMT

For us in PA, @threecees explains it perfectly. The main thing is to get it done before it melts and refreezes, or we if we get an ice storm on top of it.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Kitty Galore — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:37:04 GMT

it's more like when did we , well my hubby stop !! I don't shovel more then maybe the porch . He uses the snow blower, had to it snowed none stop for days it finally has stopped ! We got 42" of snow . He must have gone out there 4 times each day over the weekend alone . The plow comes and puts all those big chunks of snow at the end of our driveway that has to be removed as well . I hope this is it for the rest of the winter , but living in NYS I know it isn't ! Our area has been declared a state of emergency.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

lynnie61 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:38:49 GMT

I did 2/3 of the driveway, and will finish in a bit. SW PA. I used a push broom. Snow is pretty light/powder so far. I like to get a start before it gets too bad. But we are only expected to get 3-6".

My first winter being retired, snow is much less annoying when you don't have to go to work!

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Lucky Charm — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:39:27 GMT

Kinda new at this snow shoveling thing. What I've learned so far is, it's best to shovel concrete BEFORE people start walking on it. Because the packed footprints are harder to get up.

So of course lots of people have walked up and down the snowy sidewalks with their dogs before we could get out there and shovel. lol

I did our decks (2 houses) and husband did in front of 6 houses. Lots of people are summer only, so he did those also. We just wanted a clean path in front of our's and an elderly woman a couple of houses down.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Squirrels Are Trash — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:25:36 GMT

We were expected to have the driveway, front, back and side pathways, back sidewalk, path to pool and arround the pool, several areas for the dogs to pee and the area by the trash cans and the pool barn,

These had to be clear before my father got home or there was hell to pay. My mother helped some when I was a small kid but after I turned 10 it was all me. One year I had a badly sprained wrist and my father was SO mad he had to shovel.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

haddon9 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:53:35 GMT

I have gotten lucky. When our new next door neighbors moved in about 8 years ago, the husband loved to help all the neighbors on the street with shoveling.

The following year he bought a large snow blower and was very disappointed when we only got a trace of snow the the next couple of years.

When it did snow he would go around to everyone's house on the cul de sac and help out! He also has three boys (8-15) that he gets to help out.

I heard him starting up the snow blower on Saturday in anticipation of the storm and saw him go out to get gas for it.

This morning we didn't get much but the middle son came over to shovel our drive & walkway. I gave him some cash for being such a good helper though I really don't mind doing it myself if it's only a few inches.

I think some people like to keep up with the snowfall thinking it will be easier to remove instead of having to shovel the full amount if it's a lot.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Biftu — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:59:17 GMT

How luckiy are you @haddon9!

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Nightowlz — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:05:02 GMT

We don't get much snow anymore. We used to get snow.

When we get snow DH will shovel when weather permits him to do so.

He does the same in the winter with leaves from all the trees. He will run the mower over the yard to mulch them when weather permits. He's already done that 3 times. It needs done again since all the leaves have finally came off the trees. It's too cold to do anything outside right now. It's 20° but feels like 9°.

That makes it easier for spring clean up.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Shelbelle — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:14:07 GMT

Ours stopped but we will get another inch later, my DH shoveled and cleaned cars little while ago, said it was easy, very powdery here in MD.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:00:57 GMT

I shoveled yesterday when we had about 5-6 inches already. I had it pretty well done. I knew we were supposed to get more later but they are not always accurate. I figured even if we did get more, there wouldn't be so much to do when it did arrive. So, later that day and into the night we got quite a lot more. How much? Beats me. I haven't heard and can't tell other than it looks like probably another 5 maybe? So, I will wait until around 8:30 today and start in again! Anyone who says --- Oh, I love snow and I miss it --- well, guess what --- you can have all of this!!!!!

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

gardenman — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:22:08 GMT

Here in southern NJ when we get a big storm it's typically a nor'easter with lots of wind, so that means blowing snow and drifts. As soon as you shovel an area, the snow blows right back in. You pretty much have to wait until it's done and the winds have calmed down to make much progress.

My township has (maybe had) an ordinance that sidewalks had to be snow and ice-free two hours after a storm ends. So, if the storm ends at one AM, you had to have everything clear by 3 AM. I'm pretty sure they never enforced that rule and may have reworked it, but that was the rule for a while.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

chrystaltree — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:24:52 GMT

It depends on how much is predicted and how long it's going to snow. If it comes down all day, into the night; it makes sense to shovel or plow a couple of times during the storm so you aren't left shoveling all of it when the storm ends. You especially want to shovel out the cars.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Lucky Dog — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:28:15 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
I shoveled yesterday when we had about 5-6 inches already. I had it pretty well done. I knew we were supposed to get more later but they are not always accurate. I figured even if we did get more, there wouldn't be so much to do when it did arrive. So, later that day and into the night we got quite a lot more. How much? Beats me. I haven't heard and can't tell other than it looks like probably another 5 maybe? So, I will wait until around 8:30 today and start in again! Anyone who says --- Oh, I love snow and I miss it --- well, guess what --- you can have all of this!!!!!

And it's the ones who usually say that are the ones that don't have to drive in it.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

AngelPuppy1 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:07:31 GMT

@Lucky Dog wrote:
@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
I shoveled yesterday when we had about 5-6 inches already. I had it pretty well done. I knew we were supposed to get more later but they are not always accurate. I figured even if we did get more, there wouldn't be so much to do when it did arrive. So, later that day and into the night we got quite a lot more. How much? Beats me. I haven't heard and can't tell other than it looks like probably another 5 maybe? So, I will wait until around 8:30 today and start in again! Anyone who says --- Oh, I love snow and I miss it --- well, guess what --- you can have all of this!!!!!
And it's the ones who usually say that are the ones that don't have to drive in it.

@Lucky Dog

For sure! And DH and I are not in the best of health and it's hard for us to keep digging ourselves out. A dusting is not bad but large accumulations are just horrible to deal with. And a lot of people just drive crazy no matter what the weather conditions are - makes it harder and more dangerous for the rest of us. Blessings and take care!

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

songbird — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:37:24 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
Ours stopped but we will get another inch later, my DH shoveled and cleaned cars little while ago, said it was easy, very powdery here in MD.

My husband did the driveway. I did the walkway. Still a lot snow everywhere. Piles of it from walkway to street. Yes the snow was nice powdery kind. Not that tedious to do.

Re: When Do You Start Shoveling?

Jo1313 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:54:07 GMT

4 inches or more We have a guy with a plow do the driveway..the car is in the garage..

DH is too old to shovel..and we don't go out much anyway.

If it's just a little DH pushes the shovel down to the mailbox and back..I'm not allowed to for medical reasons.

I love USPS informed delivery...some days there is nothing in the box..saves a trip down.