Snow is often portrayed in movies and television as a fun, exciting environment to play in. Kids get out of school, hot cocoa is brewed by the gallon, and everyone has a blast making snowmen – until reality settles.

You need to get your car out, get to work, and — above all else — remove the snow that is stopping you from doing those things. Some of the best snow removal methods that can help you get on your way despite this wintery-white nuisance are described below.

Shoveling

Of the best snow removal methods out there, this is one of the most popular. Shoveling snow requires a specific shovel made for snow. Thankfully, if you live in an area that is likely to receive snow, these shovels are everywhere from home stores to super centers and drug stores.

These shovels have a wide, flat base instead of the pointed, small base of a garden shovel, making the act of picking up snow and moving it much easier. Be sure not to overload your shovel. Pick up half a load at a time, toss it, and go for more.

Snow Blowing

This is one of the best snow removal methods if you have a lot of snow or a large area and you don’t want to exert the energy required to shovel. If you are snow blowing over an area with gravel or rocks beneath the snow, try setting your snow blower an inch or two above the ground so it doesn’t throw the rocks as well. They might clog your snow blower chute or injure passersby.

Snow Plowing

This method is for when you have a lot of snow and a lot of space, but not a lot of time. Attaching a plow to your vehicle means you can drive through the snow, plowing large drifts to the side all at once. If this is the method you choose, just make sure you have a vehicle that can handle the weight of the plow attachment.

Find Snow Removal Professionals

These three tried and true snow removal methods can help you get back on your feet after a wintery fairy-tale of a storm. If you find you need professional help to get started with your snow removal, TalkLocal can help connect you with professionals in your area.

Snow tires are an effective way to give yourself more control behind the wheel while driving on snowy or icy roads. The type of rubber and treading on snow tires allow them to cut through the snow and ice to grip the road.

Even this might not grant you the traction you need. If you are looking for additional ways to maintain control on the roads, studable snow tires might be for you.

What Are Studable Snow Tires?

These types of snow tires were actually invented roughly a half-century ago, but they have grown to be more advanced as time and technology marched on. These tires allow you to screw in metal studs right into your tires. These studs serve as an additional means of cutting through ice and snow so that you can grip the road even while driving in inclement weather.

Advantages Of Studable Snow Tires

Most drivers that have tried out this form of snow tires would agree that they do perform as advertised — they allow your car to handle well both on ice and hard, packed snow. You will likely benefit from them most if you live in an area where snow and ice covers the roads for a good portion of the year. If your area generally gets a few dustings of snow per year, studable snow tires are probably overqualified for the job.

One, Loud Disadvantage

These snow tires can be somewhat of a nuisance when the snow and ice melts off the roads, even temporarily. Driving on the bare road with these tires not only provides additional wear and tear to the roads, but makes for a loud driving experience. Some states even have laws that tell you when you must remove them so that you do not tear up the roads too badly.

Where To Find Them

Studable snow tires can be tough to find, just because they are not overly popular. However, if you are in need of them, put the word out for help by using TalkLocal. We ask you about your needs, and then match you up with a local business or professional that can assist.

The Dangers of Snow Shoveling

The dangers of snow shoveling are well known. These dangers range from mild muscle aches to heart attacks. The dangers occur from the stress that the body undergoes from the physical act of the shoveling of snow. Muscle aches arise from the stress the body undergoes from the heavy loads of the snow.

Soreness, joint aches, wrist and hip injuries, as well as back injuries and strains are all part of the stress that arises from snow shoveling. Older adults and middle-aged men are especially prone to this. However, women are also not excused from this list. Symptoms don’t usually occur until a few days after snow shoveling. The weather also takes a toll on your body, because when you’re working out in the cold, your body takes additional stress.

Tips on How to Prevent the Dangers of Snow Shoveling

1. The first step that you need to take is to dress up in layers to keep yourself warm while you shovel snow. This will keep your body temperature high and prevent the weather from getting in the way.

2. The next step is to warm up gently and start slowly with snow shoveling. If you start too quickly, you will be putting a lot of stress on your body and that will strain your body more.

3. Next, you need to break up the job into small loads. You don’t need to shovel the snow all the way. You can manage small portions. You should also use the correct snow shovel for the job.

4. Lastly, don’t push yourself to the limits. Know your limitations and stop when you know that you’ve had enough.

Need More Help with Snow Removal?

TalkLocal is here to help you find a professional near you! Give us a call today and let us help you locate a professional in your area in just minutes.

Satellite Dishes

A satellite dish is essential for some people who do not receive television signals or cable television in remote areas. Thus, in areas where there is winter, snow piling up on satellite dishes, which are usually placed on top of houses, becomes a big problem. Snow usually blocks the signal transmission of the satellite dish and can become a problem for signal transmission.

Sometimes snow removal services aren’t always available to remove snow from these areas. There are things that you can do, however, that will let you know how to keep snow off satellite dish.

How to Keep Snow Off Satellite Dish

The best time to take action is late fall, before snow starts to fall. The first thing you have to do is use your hand to carefully wipe dead leaves and other debris from the satellite dish.

It’s important that you don’t move the satellite dish at all and that you don’t touch the Low Noise Block Converter or its supporting arm. Just clean the satellite dish gently of fallen leaves and debris.

After this, spray the metal dish with Rain-X or WD-40. Spray just lightly, and only the metal dish. Do not spray the Low Noise Block Converter or its supporting arm. WD-40 is one of the tools that you need to prevent snow from sticking or to remove snow. It’s very handy to have during winter.

Another alternative is to use cooking spray if you don’t have either of those on hand. However, cooking spray can leave a sticky residue on your satellite dish and can let mold and mildew form. So, it really is better to use Rain-X or WD-40 to prevent snow from sticking to your satellite dish.

Ready for Help?

TalkLocal can help you today! Give us a call and we can help you remove snow from your satellite dish with the help of an expert!

Snow in Attic

Having snow in your attic can become a big problem, especially in snow storms. After the storms, the melted snow can cause the roof to rot and weaken. That will cause big problems, and maybe even cause the roof to leak. Having snow in the attic is not good, and knowing how to keep snow out of attic is vital to keeping your home healthy and your home free from drafts.

How to Keep Snow Out of Attic

The first thing you need to do to keep snow out of the attic is to put a screen over the gable vents in the interior of the attic. This won’t block the airflow of the attic, but it will keep the snow out. Another thing you can do is put windows made of glass in the attic windows and keep them closed only during snow storms, and then keep them open otherwise.

It is important to keep the airflow in the attic open during the summer months, or the wind will stifle inside the attic and will cause dust to build-up. The attic is a place where you keep a lot of things, and dust building up is not good. Maintaining air flow in the attic will help prevent the build-up of dust.

Another idea is to vacuum the attic with a vacuum cleaner, but that is more of a remedy than a preventive measure. The best thing to do is to put galvanized wire onto the window screens to prevent snow from entering but still keep the airflow in check. This is very important so that your attic’s airflow is not hindered.

Call a Professional Today!

Contact TalklLocal today and let us help you find a professional near you to help you keep snow out of your attic! We’ll connect you with the right professionals in your area in just minutes, for free!

Black ice is one of the most dangerous features of winter. It may appear difficult to remove since it is almost invisible, but it is safer to melt it than to allow it to continue going unnoticed. Keep reading to learn how to remove black ice.

What is Black Ice?

Black ice is not black. It is a very thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on roads. It is one of the leading causes of car accidents, since drivers usually cannot see it. When any moisture comes in contact with the freezing pavement, it freezes almost instantly, forming the black ice. Black ice is commonly found on bridges or in shaded areas. It generally forms early in the morning, before the roads have had time to heat up or late at night when the sun is down.

How to Remove Black Ice

1. Ice melting products containing calcium chloride mixed with some grit, such as gravel, rock salt, and sand, are great for melting black ice while providing traction. Sweep away excess grit to spread it out and to ensure that no one will slip on the accumulation.

2. A thin coat of sand can also provide enough traction for pedestrians and vehicles. The black ice will eventually melt away.

These products can be found at your local hardware store. It is easiest to do this on your driveway or steps. Do not assume that all roads will have these precautions in place, especially early in the morning before the sand trucks are out.

Call in the Professionals

If you have too much black ice to remove, TalkLocal can help connect you with quality local snow and ice removal companies. Simply provide us with a brief description of what you need, your location, and your availability. You can expect a call within minutes from a company that wants to help you.

A white, winter wonderland isn’t exactly wonderful if you can’t get to where you need to go. Without a snow blower, that might be difficult to do. If you need help fixing a snow blower, you also need to make sure you know what’s wrong with it. This guide can help you diagnose and fix snow blower issues when you’re cleaning up after a storm in the winter.

What Kind Of Snow Blower Do You Have?

– Electric: These are much easier to maneuver and typically smaller and sleeker than others, but they don’t do well with big snow falls.

– Single-Stage: These are powered by a gas engine. They work well with wet and light snow, but you have to push it manually.

– Two-Stage: This gas-powered blower works well with serious snow drifts and heavily packed snow, but is very large and takes up a lot of space when not in use.

Problem: It doesn’t start.

Solution: Make sure the choke is properly positioned and aligned. Check the safety key and the spark plug. If these are all in order, your fuel is probably just too old. Fuel does go bad after a few months, and that may be the case with your snow blower. Top off the gas tank and you should be fine.

Problem: It starts! But then it stops.

Solution: Most likely, your spark plug wire is disconnected from the plug. If that doesn’t do the trick, make sure the gas cap is completely clear of snow. Dust the whole machine off of snow and make sure there is no ice covering any vents, because that would cause the machine to shut down.

Problem: It isn’t blowing the snow.

Solution: There are a few things that could cause your snow blower to stop blowing snow. If the snow is too slushy, it might be combining itself into little icy snowballs inside the chute. If this is the case, shut down the machine and use a stick or brush to knock the obstruction out of the chute. If it isn’t snow, it might be a stick or other object that is stuck in the auger.

Problem: It stutters and jumps.

Solution: You’re probably just going too fast. Slow it down and see if that works. If you find you’ve slowed down too much, you might want to check the auger for obstructions again.

Still Don’t Know How To Fix A Snow Blower?

Fixing a snow blower is really all about learning what kind of snow and landscape you’re working with. If you need help with your machinery or snow removal, we can connect you with professionals in your area. At TalkLocal, we take the work out of your search. Besides, you’d rather be on the couch with hot cocoa than dealing with a snow blower problem.

Traditional rock salt, or a form of sodium chloride, is a cheap way many municipalities keep roads dry during inclement weather. It is the cheapest form of ice melt found in stores, and therefore many people use it each winter on their walkways, patios, and driveways.

Unfortunately, this chemical is harmful to the environment and can even kill your own vegetation. There are environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt, although they generally come at a higher price.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate: This is a salt-free de-icing option. It is biodegradable, so it is less likely to harm vegetation. It is also more expensive and less effective. It is only effective in temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Calcium Chloride: While this option is less damaging than rock salt, anything with chloride can still be harmful. It is also corrosive to metals (i.e. the undercarriage of your car) and harmful to pets’ paws.

Urea: This compound is much safer to use near vegetation, but is also less effective at melting the ice.

Gravel/Sand: Although these materials do not melt the ice or snow, they allow for more traction. They are cheap, and as long as you only use a small amount, they should be easy to sweep up without harming your landscaping.

Elbow Grease: The best way to keep snow and ice off your walkways while maintaining a healthy environment is through preventing it all together. Stay on top of shoveling and break up and remove small ice patches before bigger ones can form. If you let snow and ice accumulate, it will become increasingly harder to remove.

Need More Help?

As we age, shoveling snow or even applying ice melt can be difficult and hazardous. If you believe your project is too big to tackle alone, call a snow removal expert. TalkLocal will find and connect you with a professional that will know all the environmentally friendly alternatives to rock salt and can keep your walkways clear. Our service is incredibly easy to use and absolutely free.

Snow blowers are one of the greatest luxuries you can have when heavy snow falls. By using one, you are able to move snow quicker and not strain your back shoveling.

However, just like any other piece of yard equipment, snow blowers can break or experience technical failure. Often, this happens while you are in the middle of using one. If you experience one of the myriad of issues that can crop up, here is some information on how to fix a snow blower.

Snow Blower Is Not Moving Snow

When you use a snow blower, you expect to see snow come flying out of the chute. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Are you wondering how to fix a snow blower in this situation? Try two things.

1. Inspect the blade to make sure it is not damaged. If the blade is broken, it will not adequately pick up snow.

2. Then, check the chute. Most often, the chute becomes clogged by thick snow, ice, or even a foreign object. Make sure to turn your snow blower off, and use something to break through the build up in order to clear the chute.

Snow Blower Is Not Starting

Maybe you took your snow blower out for the first time in months, but it won’t start. This can be a common issue if you did not take the proper steps to prepare your device for the long period of inactivity.

Make sure the problem isn’t an easy fix — like moving the choke into the proper position. Most likely, the gas that you left in the tank went bad. Empty out the tank and replenish it with fresh gas. This should more than likely get your snow blower roaring once again.

Need Repair Help?

These are just a few of the more common issues you may face as the owner of a snow blower. Some issues are not as cut-and-dry, and you will need to seek the help of a professional. In this case, turn to TalkLocal. We do all the searching for you and yield results you can use in a matter of minutes.

Snow tires are great during the winter and can allow you to maintain control of your vehicle even when venturing out on icy or snowy roads. However, when the snow and ice eventually melt, you do not want to keep snow tires on your vehicle.

The soft rubber compound of which they are made can wear down quickly compared to all-season tires. Also, because of the unique treading, snow tires can produce a lot of noise while driving. This is why the warmer months should be spent storing snow tires and not using them.

Because snow tires are somewhat of an investment, you want to store them in a way that preserves their physical condition. Most snow tires can last for a number of winters when stored properly.

The following are some tips when it comes to storing snow tires.

– Protect each tire with a tire cover. This just ensures that the tires are protected from the elements and even some pesky rodents. Tire covers are usually available at the same place you purchased the tires. Otherwise, you will find them at most automotive supply stores. You will want to purchase one cover per tire.

– The tire covers also shield the tires from direct sunlight, which is very important. The ultraviolet rays of the sun can compromise the rubber compounds of the tires and age them very quickly.

– Heat is another enemy of tires. Make sure when storing snow tires, you stash them away in a cool, dry location. If they are constantly amid extreme temperatures, the rubber compounds will break down.

– Your snow tires do not have to take up a lot of space. In fact, you can place them on their side and stack all four on top of each other. Just make sure not to stack anymore on top of that.

Need Help With Your Snow Tires?

Whether you are in the market to buy some snow tires or are seeking a storage facility you can place them in during the warmer months, TalkLocal has all the connections you will need. We track down local service professionals of all industries, and connect you with them directly. We literally have help for you no matter what your needs may be. Put us to the test.