Okay, we have a solid inch of ice on our driveway and the connecting public sidewalk that’s been there for some days now, getting worse. I worked at the sidewalk some, yesterday. Now it’s time to join Bill the spouse and go out and hack at all the ice there with a shovel. Which reminds me it’s time to provide a link to this classic JWN post from February 2003.
What, indeed, if Dubya had to shovel his own sidewalks?
8 thoughts on “Icy sidewalks and civic virtue”
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Doesn’t salt do the trick? Or hook up a hose to the hot water?
The first year I lived in the frozen north, I didn’t know what to do with snow, but my neighbors didn’t shovel their sidewalks right away, so in the experimental spirit I decided to shovel mine and compare outcomes.
The result of the experiment: it’s much better if you shovel as soon as possible, before the snow is compacted. Of course, that’s easier said than done, the older and busier you get.
Yup, ice storms are the worst. I live in Minnesota where it’s cold and sometimes snows a lot, but that’s not a big problem if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford to heat your house and healthy enough to shovel. But ice storms are another matter. Under the right conditions, that ice will adhere to concrete like superglue, and there is really not a darn thing you can do about it until the weather changes. There is a finely ground stone grit product you can spread on sidewalks and stairs to improve traction (can’t remember what it’s called). Do NOT use clay cat litter – it will just make a mess.
So have you tried one of those ice-chopper things? I’ve got one with a blade about six inches across at the bottom. It’s still hard work, but much more effective than a shovel. If the ice starts to melt the slightest bit underneath, you can use the chopper at a low angle to sort of bust the ice free from the pavement in chunks, then remove the chunks. My neighbor has a smaller once (skinnier, not as heavy), it doesn’t work as well.
dr2 – I’ve got two of ’em. You’re right, they work great once the ice has melted a little underneath. But if it’s bonded to the pavement by sub-zero temps, you’re going to end up chipping as much concrete as ice.
Well, I need to go to Southern States– our local agro-horticultural co-op– tomorrow and get a couple of new shovels so maybe I’ll look for one of those chopper thingies. My otherwise strapping son, who’s living with us this year, has a shoulder problem so he’s not great on most these yard-work. But he’s pretty good with advice and says the thing that looks like a straight-down hoe is the way to go for ice.
I totally agree about cat litter, btw. I shan’t even tell you about the year I decided to try to save money by putting, um, pre-used cat litter down on our driveway in DC, and the way the house smelled for many months after that.
Salt? We use a bit, judiciously. But the runoff tends to wreck the plantings and of course degrades all public infrastructure it comes in contact with (roads, bridges, culverts…) As for hot water– it sounds v. unfeasible for the size of this challenge.
But this afternoon, after doing a bit of shoveling, I went for a 3-mile run. That was definitely worth doing!
I’m not sure, that white stuff that looks like busted-up styrofoam might not be so bad for the plants (it’s expensive, though, and some of these chemicals are supposed to be bad for concrete). The unbent hoe is indeed an ice chopper. Wear gloves, it will tear up your hands, and it makes your shoulders ache (at least, my shoulders ache, perhaps you have a different weakest link).
The other thing I’ve found, that completely mystifies me, is that so many snow shovels are sold with a strip of metal across the bottom. It makes them stick to whatever is under the ice, it makes them heavier, it makes them more dangerous if I lose my grip. I’ve had good luck with all-plastic shovels with a bit of a bucket to them, and I spray them with WD-40 or silicone so that the snow doesn’t stick to them, so I can throw it instead of carrying it (if the snow sticks to the shovel when you throw it, it about takes your shoulder with it).
And are you familiar with Shoveling Snow With Buddha by Billy Collins?
If you put the salt down as the snow begins to fall then after the blizzard the snow and/or ice will simply slide off the pavement in huge chunks.
Too late now but not too late for next time…