Winter is officially here in Pittsburgh! With that winter storm a few weeks ago, the kids finally had enough snowfall to throw a few snowballs and make an honest attempt at a snowman.
But for Ted and me, the snow meant reacting quickly. As we’ve mentioned before, Pittsburgh has strict rules about snow removal that homeowners need to follow—and failure to comply could result in a written warning or fine.
In some neighborhoods, you need to clean up snow from the sidewalk in front of your house in less than 24 hours after it stops snowing! To quickly recap, here are some of the time frames enforced by local communities:
24 hours to remove ice and snow - City of Pittsburgh, Etna, McKeesport, Pleasant Hills
12 hours to remove ice and snow - Canonsburg, Castle Shannon, Upper St. Clair
6 hours to remove ice and snow - Munhall
4 hours to remove ice and snow - Brentwood
And as important as it is to ensure you’re following the legal requirements of snow removal, you should be equally concerned with best practices as a homeowner.
Maintaining your property after a snowstorm is essential for maintaining your home value and keeping you and your family safe.
With that in mind, let’s review a few tips for cleaning up snow and ice around your property.
How to Safely Manage Snow Storms and Snowfall
Here are a few steps you can take to protect your yard, walkways, and driveway during the next Pittsburgh snowstorm:
1. Clean up your yard beforehand. When you’re worried about how you’re going to get the car out of the garage after an upcoming snowstorm, your yard is likely the least of your worries.
But investing 15 minutes now could save you hours of yard treatments in the spring. Note: check out our articles on landscaping on a budget and summer maintenance tips for more lawncare recommendations.
Any debris or leaves left in your yard could begin to suffocate the grass underneath. And once the snow falls and melts, that debris will trap moisture, which then becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Take a few minutes to clean up the yard before the snow falls. Your grass will thank you!
2. Get your tools ready. If you’re rushing to the store for eggs, bread, and milk before a storm, you might as well grab ice melt, a shovel (if needed), and an extra tarp. Here’s why:
Ice Melt - Even if you have a big bucket of salt, it can go quickly—especially if you’re planning for back-to-back storms that require multiple rounds of clean-up. An extra container of ice melt will also reduce the amount of labor necessary for removing thick, layered ice.
Shovel - Shovels can wear and break over time. And with new ergonomic shovel designs, you now have options for shovels that will be easier on your hands, arms, and back. Choose a shovel that’s right for you.
Tarp - A tarp can come in handy ahead of a snowstorm. Whether you spread the tarp over your back steps or a section of your driveway, it’ll keep the snow off your walkways. Once it’s done snowing outside, grab the tarp by the sides and drag it away. You’ll soon reveal a clean surface free of snow and ice! Note: You may need an extra set of hands, depending on how much snow is on top of the tarp!
3. Avoid stepping across your yard when it’s wet. If your yard is wet or frozen, it’s more likely to be damaged. Avoid cutting across your yard when it’s covered in melting ice and snow.
Of course, you should take some time to play with the kids in the fresh snow! But once it starts to melt, avoid tearing up your grass.
4. Shovel (and plow) efficiently. If you’re clearing the driveway of snow, here’s what to do:
Start in the middle of your driveway near the house, and work your way toward the street, tossing or pushing the snow to one side of the driveway.
When you reach the street, make a U-turn and repeat in the opposite direction.
Following this process will ensure clear, clean coverage for your driveway!
5. Remove the ice as quickly as possible. Ice is dangerous if left unattended. And as we mentioned earlier, leaving ice on the sidewalk could actually get you in legal trouble in certain parts of Pittsburgh.
It’s best to shovel and salt as soon as possible after a snowfall to keep your property safe.
If you’ve run out of salt, don’t fret! We found a useful no-salt ice-remover from Warmup, a heating and snowmelt company. Here’s how to make and use it:
Pour a half gallon of hot water into a bucket.
Add a half cup of rubbing alcohol.
Add six drops of dish soap.
Stir.
Pour over your driveway.
Repeat if necessary.
Within a few minutes, you should see your driveway begin to bubble and the snow and ice melt away!
Find Additional Maintenance Recommendations
Of course, home maintenance is an ongoing task for any homeowner. For additional support, check out our Maintenance articles.
If you have additional questions, contact us at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com.