One of the joys of homeownership is discovering the responsibilities that come along with the distinction. Some of them, like property taxes, you knew about ahead of time. Some of them, say keeping trees trimmed, are bylaws that you might not have been completely familiar with.
All of these have their basis in contributing to public safety. You pay your taxes to maintain public facilities. You keep the trees trimmed either to keep them out of power lines or to keep them healthy. It might even be a preventative action when those winter storms start in.
Keeping your walks clear is another one of those responsibilities outlined in the Edmonton bylaws. The reason makes sense. With an average annual snowfall of 124 cm, it’s critical that everyone helps keep walkways clear.
- Dress in layers. Shoveling is taxing, and you’re going to be tempted to shed clothes. Multiple layers will let you adjust your comfort without starting to sweat.
- Wear boots with a grip. You’re going to need more leverage than you think. You’re also going to hit some unseen ice. Wear boots that will help you stay upright.
- Take care of yourself. You’re burning lots of calories and it’s easy to become dehydrated and not realize it. Take breaks when you need to and catch your breath as well as making sure to drink lots of water.
- Use the right tools. You need to find the right shovel. The best shovel will have a small blade with an ergonomic handle that curves.
- Work slow and steady. Snow gets heavy faster than you’d think. You’re much better off to work a small shovelful at a time or filling a large shovel only 1/4 to 1/2 full.
- Do a little prep. You might put a light coat of cooking oil on the blade to prevent snow from sticking to it.
- Don’t delay. You want to get to work on the snow soon after it falls. If you wait until it packs or becomes ice, the job gets much harder.
Even after you get your sidewalks clean, you’re going to have to deal with the freeze-thaw cycle. You can pick up free sand at your local community league to put down on the walkway once you’ve cleared it. When dealing with the ice in a freeze-thaw cycle, keep in mind these tips.
- Working a little later in the day when the weather is warm will make the ice soft and easier to chip.
- Warm the sand in a microwave safe container before spreading it. The heated sand will embed itself in the ice, making a safer surface in the future.
- Think about where you pile your snow as you clear it. Try to put it in places that won’t melt onto your sidewalks. Also be sure to point downspouts on your gutters away from your sidewalks.
To get through the Edmonton winter, we have to rely on each other do our parts, and keeping the sidewalks clear is one of those responsibilities. Planning ahead and preparing accordingly will go a long way to making the task easier to complete, allowing you to take care of yourself and help take care of your neighbors.