Best Snow and Ice Removal Tools for Your Home

Prepare for icy conditions by having plenty of de-icers on hand. Deicers melt ice and make it hard for the ice to form slippery surfaces around your home. There are a few different types of deicers available. Choose the one that works best for your home.

• Rock salt or sodium chloride is the most popular deicer. It’s budget-friendly so it’s ideal if you need to salt a large area. It’s best used in temperatures above 14 degrees.
• Magnesium chloride works faster than rock salt and can melt ice at -10 degrees. It does require a higher upfront investment and using too much of it can damage plants.
• Calcium chloride can melt ice in temperatures up to -20 degrees and reacts to moisture by heating up. This makes it work faster than other options, but it can be harmful to plants.

Most deicers can cause damage to concrete, wood and other surfaces. Follow the manufacturer directions.

Safety Tip: Rock salt and other deicers can be toxic to pets. Potassium chloride deicers are considered the safest to use around dogs and cats. Consult your vet.

If you have limited snow falls and a small yard, a snow shovel may be the only clearing tool you need. A quality snow shovel and hard work can clear sidewalks, driveways and more. Choose a snow shovel with ergonomic handles. This will reduce back and shoulder strain. If your snow falls are heavy or wet, opt for metal blade instead of plastic. Another type of snow shovel is a called a snow pusher. Rather than scooping snow, snow pushers roll or push the snow.

No matter which type of tool you choose, be smart about clearing snow. If possible, invest in an electric shovel. Wet snow is heavy and can cause a lot of exertion. Dress warm, pace yourself and clear a small amount of space at a time. If you become dizzy, short of breath or experience other signs of a heart attack, call 911.

Tip: Spray a shovel with a non-stick spray to make the snow slide off the blade.

For those who live in areas with moderate to heavy snowfall, the right snow blower can make life easier in the colder months. Snow blowers are designed to quickly clear snow with relatively little operator effort. Here are the main types of snow blowers:

• Gas snow blowers are powerful and work best for large yards and snowfalls.
• Electric snow blowers are good for clearing average-sized hardscapes.
• Corded electric snow blowers work best for smaller yards and light snow.
• Battery-powered snow blowers are lightweight, easy to use and budget-friendly.

Many snow blower models come with optional accessories such as heated handles that make clearing snow a little more enjoyable.

During any winter storm, your roof will need attention. Strong winds, heavy snow fall and ice can lead to damage to gutters and shingles. It’s best to remove snow before it becomes an ice dam. Ice dams can weigh hundreds of pounds and clog gutters, leading to roof damage and leaks. Here are some tools to consider:

• If your area is known for deep snow, a roof rake may be better than a shovel. It has extending handles that allow you to get the snow off the roof from the ground.
• Like with other parts of your property, you can use a deicer made especially for roofs and your gutters.
• Heated cables melt snow and ice before it freezes or refreezes again. Like tire chains, you apply them to your roof early in the winter season. Depending on the size and slope of your roof, you can install heated cables yourself, or have professionals handle the installation.

Safety Tip: Excercise caution when removing snow or ice from a roof. Both the ladder and the roof can be dangerously slippery and cause a fall.

Ice scrapers and snow brooms are a winter must-have, especially if you have a vehicle.

• Plastic ice scrapers are lightweight, popular and budget friendly.
• If you normally get thick or hard layers of ice, invest in a sturdy metal ice scraper that can handle the job.
• A snow broom makes sweeping snow off your vehicle's roof or high places around the house easier.