During winter months, melting snow can be a serious safety hazard. If you’re looking for a way to prevent snow melt in the garage, you first need to determine the source of the problem. There are two possible sources:

 Your Car

Snow melting off of your car is a common source of puddles in the garage. The cheapest way to prevent this problem is to remove snow upon garage entry. Because you don’t always have time to sweep off snow, a good second line of defense is a snow melt mat. These ultra absorbent mats are designed to withstand the weight of your vehicle while absorbing all of the water dripping off of it. They will dry naturally and, once dry, can be vacuumed to remove all of the dirt that builds up.

While they are designed to hold a lot of water, should the mat become ultra-saturated, the water can be vacuumed out with a Shop-Vac or similar vacuuming device.

Run-Off From Your Driveway

This problem is likely more expensive to fix, but can also prevent snow melt in the garage.  If your driveway slopes toward your house and is not properly leveled to angle away from the garage entrance, you will likely get lots of melting snow coming under the door. The cheapest way to alleviate this problem is by shoveling snow from your driveway before it begins melting. Drains can be installed in front of the door and in the center of the floor to catch the water before it becomes a hazard.

A professional driveway paver should be able to help with installing a driveway drain or re-leveling the driveway to divert water around the house.

Don’t Just Call For Help … Make A Talk Local

The best way to get in contact with a highly-qualified professional in your area is by using TalkLocal‘s free service. We will find the right professional for you quickly and easily. Don’t put off fixing a problem that could present a real hazard in your home.

As winter sets in and the bad weather hits, staying home may not always be an option. If you have to drive in snow or ice, you might consider front wheel drive winter tires — assuming they are effective. The following are some benefits and downsides of having winter tires on your vehicle.

Tips For Purchasing Winter Tires

– Tires are not made specifically for front-wheel drive vehicles, even though these are the best to drive in poor road conditions. Therefore, most people who purchase winter tires purchase them for front-wheel drive vehicles.

– Winter tires are designed to grip the road better than their all-season counterparts thanks in part to a special design that allows them to cut through snow and ice.

– Because they are made with a softer rubber, winter tires will wear out faster than regular ones. Snow tires should only be installed during winter months for this reason.

– If you are going to buy winter tires, make sure to buy all four. If you only put them on the front, you will risk a more unstable driving experience and a higher chance of spinning out or fishtailing.

Benefits Of Winter Tires

– Safety: This is the biggest benefit. Although they will not guarantee you will never get in an accident, winter tires certainly make it much more difficult for your car to slide in snowy weather.

– Better grip: If you use your vehicle to plow snow, you’ll especially enjoy this attribute of winter tires.

Downside Of Winter Tires

– They wear out quicker than regular tires

– Must be put on and taken off every winter

– Extra grip makes for a noisier ride

Need Someone To Install Your Winter Tires?

If you decide winter tires are what you need, you may need a professional to help you install them. TalkLocal can connect you with a highly qualified professional in your area for absolutely free.

Winter can be a beautiful time of year. Bright, white snow blanketing the ground can appear to make the world clean and pure. Unfortunately for homeowners, the frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on a home, causing damage through freezing.

Exhibit A: Icicles.

While some icicles may be beautiful, they can cause headaches for homeowners. Here’s how to prevent gutters freezing and avoid the hardships that come with it.

Check Your Attic

Often, the problem begins here. If your attic is not well insulated, it may heat up areas on your roof, which will melt the snow above it quicker than the rest of the roof. As this liquid runs off, it cools on the much colder gutter and freezes. This forms a blockage, which eventually causes an overflow. The overflow is what forms icicles.

What To Look For

Possible Solutions

While some of these solutions may be feasible for the average homeowner, some may not. Shoveling snow from a roof can be very dangerous and it is important to hire a professional to remove the snow for you. In addition to the dangers of removing snow to prevent gutters freezing, there are many dangers in trying to insulate your own attic yourself.

Seek Help

In either case, it may be best to call a professional to help. TalkLocal can connect you with a snow removal expert in your area quickly. Not only is our service easy — it is free!

Snow blowers are a wonderful invention. They make short work of clearing driveways and sidewalks after an overnight snow. Just imagine a winter without shoveling – no more back injuries, aching muscles,, or falls on icy surfaces!

After the record-breaking snowfall last winter, you finally decided to buy a snow blower. Even though you never complained about shoveling snow, you were mentally turning cartwheels when you brought your new snow blower home. However, you have noticed your snow blower has started to vibrate and snow is not discharging from the chute as it should. You can fix the problem yourself – if you know how to keep your snow blower from clogging.

How to Keep Your Snow Blower Chute From Clogging

First, you need to understand the basic mechanics of your snow blower. The parts of the machine that do the biggest job are the impeller paddles (in single-stage machines) or a combination of an impeller and auger blades (in two-stage snow blowers). These key parts pull the snow into the machine and force it out through the chute.

Use these tips to prevent and fix snow blower clogs:

– Keep the snow blower path clear of potential obstructions like rocks, toys, and other small objects.

– One of the main problems can be heavy, slushy snow. Wet snow becomes compacted and forms ice chunks, which will clog the chute. Use a clean-out tool or stick to remove the ice or other obstruction. Always turn the snow blower off and disconnect the spark plugs before attempting this – NEVER use your hand to dislodge obstructions.

– Let the engine warm up before clearing snow. Start by clearing a patch of light snow and then move into deeper areas.

– Direct the snow blower slowly through the snow. Do not force it. Allow the machine to propel itself forward at a steady pace.

– The internal surfaces of the snow blower can become pitted and rough after a season or two of use. Make sure all parts are completely smooth. Coat the impeller/auger and chute with graphite spray. This will prevent snow from sticking to internal surfaces.

Buying a new Snow Blower

If you are in need of a new snow blower, the first thing to consider is if you need a single-stage or two stage-blower. Single stage blowers are meant to handle lighter amounts of snow whereas a two-stage blower have have an auger that feeds the snow into two mechanisms, one that feeds it in and other that throws it out. Several other factors can determine the type of blower you need including: size of your driveway, how often it snows in your location, and your budget. You can compare snow blowers at Amazon to find the one that is best suited for you.

Professional Help

Now you know how to keep your snow blower from clogging, right? If you have tried all of these tips and your snow blower continues to clog, it might be time to take it in for repairs and maintenance. Let your friends at TalkLocal put you in touch with a mechanic that specializes in snow blowers. This way, you can spend more time sledding and building snowmen with the family!

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The snowy drive home today was a white-knuckler. Your car fishtailed, spun out, skidded and almost slid into another vehicle. That harrowing experience has you thinking seriously about buying snow tires. However, the sheer expense of new tires has you asking, “Are snow tires necessary?”

Benefits of Snow Tires

Snow tires feature specialized treads designed to grip into snow, giving you more control on slick or snow-packed roads. They are made from rubber compounds that remain pliable in cold weather, allowing them to conform to rapidly changing winter road surfaces.

Factors to Consider

If you are grappling with the decision of whether or not to buy snow tires this winter, the determining factors involve where you live, the route of your daily commute and, of course, weather conditions.

If you live in the city, you are probably fine with all-season tires as long as they have sufficient tread. You are even better equipped if you have a front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle with anti-lock brakes. In most metropolitan areas, snow is plowed and roads are de-iced or salted as conditions warrant. Un-plowed side streets may pose a bit of a problem, but all-season tires should be sufficient for driving to and from school or the neighborhood market.

If your daily route takes you outside city environments, you should consider snow tires. This is especially true if you regularly encounter snowy back roads and less-traveled highways with accumulations of slush and ice. Snow tires will provide better handling and maneuverability than all-season tires.

Obviously, if you live in a rural area that receives regular snowfall, snow tires are an absolute necessity. On mountainous terrain, you may be required by law to use snow tires and chains.

If you do opt for snow tires now, you need to switch to all-season tires once the temperature exceeds 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, the treads will wear down quickly on warm, snow-free pavement.

Additional Help

You may still be wondering, “Are snow tires necessary?” TalkLocal can help you locate reputable dealers in your area who can help you decide. You will then have the confidence to hit the road all winter long!

Shoveling can be one of the most tedious chores to do when winter rolls around.  Not only is it cold and miserable, but it is also exhausting and potentially dangerous if done the wrong way.  Many people suffer from back injuries when they shovel, but this is an avoidable outcome. Prevent back injuries when shoveling snow by making sure to take the right precautions.

Things to consider:

1)     Your shovel

2)     Your muscles

3)     Your body

4)     Your technique

The first thing to look into is finding a good shovel.  Many new shovels have more ergonomic designs that can reduce the amount of stress on your back.  They also have better metal on the bottom that allows you to remove snow and ice with ease.  You should look for a shovel that alleviates some of the effort for you.  Try a shovel with a curved handle that can adjust to height, which will reduce the amount of bending you do.  You will be required to bend your legs and back only slightly while still getting the same amount of snow off the ground.  If you want, a lighter shovel may also reduce the amount of weight you are throwing around.

Another thing you should be aware of is your muscles.  Make sure to move around and warm them up so that they are more flexible when it comes time to do the job.  Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury or seizing up.  Anything that increases your heart rate and keeps you warm will make your shoveling experience less painful.

Furthermore, you need to be aware of what your body can handle.  You should shovel small amounts of snow frequently rather than strain yourself all at once.  Lifting large amount of snow very slowly is actually worse for your back.  If you feel as though your body cannot handle the shoveling, you should stop and hire a snow removal service to finish the job for you.

Finally you should always practice safe lifting technique when shoveling snow.  Face the mound you want to lift with your feet and hips squared.  Bend from your hips, not your back, while pushing your chest out.  This will allow you to lift with your knees bent.  Grip your hands as close to the blade as possible, and avoid twisting at odd angles when dumping the snow. You should also walk to the place you want to unload the snow rather than reaching/tossing it.

If you are looking for a snow removal company use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local businesses. Simply enter a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability, and within minutes you should be on the phone with a professional willing to help.

A snow day has its pros and cons; you get to take a day off from work, but you need to clean up the snow as well. Shoveling your driveway is rather easy, but getting rid of the snow on your roof can be a much more daunting task. Learn how to shovel snow from your roof with the steps & tips provided below.

Is it worth it?

Are you worried that your rooftop could collapse under the weight of all that snow piled up? You may be right – but you may be wrong, too. The possibility of your rooftop collapsing happens under very specific conditions:

1.  Your roof is naturally very weak.

2.  The snow piled up on your roof melts and refreezes under the cold weather, more snow builds up, and repeats the same process. This results in a more compact buildup of water (ice) on top of your roof, which weighs much more than snow. Your roof is much more vulnerable to a collapse with a much greater weight above it.

Unless you know that your roof has had problems in the past or there has been large fluctuations in temperature with constant snow, you do not need to clean the snow on your roof. The snow should melt naturally as temperatures rise.

Shoveling your roof

Follow this guide in order to learn how to shovel snow from roof safely:

– Materials needed: Suitable clothing for snow work, Snow Shovel, Ladder, Roof Rake

– Optional: One other person, Rock Salt

1.  First, clean up the ground near the roof that you will place the ladder on.

2.  Place the ladder firmly against the walls of your house so that you can reach the roof.

(Have one other person hold the ladder, if possible.)

3.  Using the roof rake, carefully drag the snow to the ground.

(If you find that snow has melted into ice, sprinkle some rock salt on the ice.)

4.  Use the snow shovel to clean up the snow on the ground.

If you feel like you need professional help cleaning up snow, Seva Call can help with finding the right local experts for your job, saving you time and energy in what may be a stressful situation.

Winter time is great.  Everyone looks forward to the holidays, and snow makes them even more magical.  But at the end of the day, we’re stuck wondering who’s going to plow the snow so we can get our cars out of the driveway.

Getting snow out of the driveway is one of those odd jobs for which we are never really sure whether we’re paying too much or too little. So, how much does it cost to remove snow from a driveway?

Snow removal methods

– For a 1-4 car driveway, a snow plow will cost anywhere from $20 to $60 per push, depending on the area you live in and the equipment being used. If the snow is no more than 12” deep, one visit should do it, but if more than one visit is required, the second visit could be up to double the cost of the first.

– To remove snow from the driveway using a shovel, snow blower or a lawn mower, the effort required is more and the price is also going to be higher. This can range from $65 to $75 per visit. This may vary depending on the amount of snow, length of driveway, shape of driveway, etc.

– In the case of walkways, snow plows cannot be used. Hiring someone to shovel it can cost anything from $5 to $20, depending on who is doing the work and how much snow there is to shovel.

Need Snow Removal Help?

If you’re experiencing trouble clearing your driveway or walkway on your own, or you would like to be put in touch with a snow removal company, use TalkLocal for free today. Simply enter a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability, and TalkLocal will connect you to up to three professionals in your area ready to help.

Snow shoveling is an exhausting process; make it easier by using the right snow shovel. If you’re curious about which snow shovel is best, there are tons of good snow shovels, but the one that is best is the one that works for you as an individual. Here are some tips on how to find the best snow shovel for you:

Aluminum or Plastic

Shovels come in two types: aluminum and plastic. Plastic shovels are the lightest, but are prone to break. If you are shoveling heavy piles of snow or breaking ice, do not use a plastic snow shovel. Aluminum shovels are best for shoveling heavy snow and breaking ice. For breaking ice, find a shovels with a steel strip across the blade.

Type

Different types of snow shovels work best for different snow conditions. There are seven types of snow shovels:

1.   24-inch shovel

2.   18-inch shovel

3.   Square-nose shovel – This shovel should be only be used for snow which is iced over. Its small shaft can increase the risk of back strain because of the constant bending over when shoveling.

4.   Round-nose shovel – This is a basic digging shovel. It can be used for cutting through icy snow pile left by snowplows.

5.   Aluminum scoop – This is a rustproof snow shovel and can handle big piles of snow.

6.   30-Inch Shovel – This shovel is versatile and can handle pushing/scraping or shoveling of snow.

7.   Wheel Shovel – This newly invented snow shovel combines a snow shovel and a wheel barrow.  These shovels have a strong handle, good grip and deep scoop. The large wheel relives any back strain on the user as the large wheel lets the shovel carry the snow. This snow shovel is recommended for people with back problems who cannot have any strain in their backs.

For snow removal service, call TalkLocal. TalkLocal will connect you to the best rated snow removal companies in your area within minutes.

With winter coming around soon, it’s good to be prepared in case there is a lot of snow in your area. Buying a snow blower can really help you out during the winter months.  Using a snowblower over traditional shoveling methods can save you time, energy and pain.  To find the best snow blower for your money, take these things into consideration when shopping:

1)     How much snow you get

2)     Need versus want

3)     Gas or electric?

4)     Power: one stage or two stage?

5)     Quality

Deciding to get a snow blower is a good decision if you get frequent snowfalls with heavy amounts.  If you live in an area that only gets slight dustings of snow, investing in such a large piece of machinery may not be the best decision.  While it may seem cool to own one, it’s an expensive investment for those who will rarely put them to use.

Another thing to consider is whether you want a gas snow blower or an electric one.  Gas is very easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about tripping over wires or keeping the machine plugged in. While the price of gas is rising, this is not too big of an issue because a gas powered snow blower does not require a large amount.  If you decide to go with the electric blower, be prepared for your electric bill to slightly increase.

Another decision to make is whether you want a single stage or two stage blower.  This depends on how much snow you plan on removing.  A one stage snow blower has one high speed propeller that moves and forces the snow out of the discharge chute.  This size is considered the light duty machine, as it can be picked up manually to throw more snow.  The dual stage machine is self propelled with large wheels and chains.  This is for people with more serious snow removal issues.

When looking to purchase a snow blower, you should first research online and check out reviews for various types.  It is recommended that you buy from reputable companies like Honda, Toro or Ariens because they offer guaranteed high quality products.   The slightly elevated price will pay off in the long run.

If you are looking for snow removal or need help choosing which type of snow blower you want you should seek professional help.  Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local snow removal businesses within minutes.  Simply input your problem and TalkLocal will do the rest.