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Nov
12

The Wonders of Snow Removal: 11 Simple Strategies for Clearing Your Car of The White Stuff

By Scott Kyles   |   Posted In: Snow Removal

Quick ways to clear the snow

We’re into that time of year when many across America are going to have to deal with The White Stuff. Snow can be a thing of wonder for wide-eyed children who enjoy sledding, fort building, snowball fights, and getting some time off from school! However, snow isn’t always as exciting for those of us with adult responsibilities…

I mean, I still like to play in the snow too, but nowadays the first thing that usually pops into my mind when the flakes start falling is this: “Great, now I get to dig the car out of the driveway!”

Clearing snow is a “magical” experience for grown-ups that involves sensations of cold feet, frozen hands, and accelerated heart rates under all those layers of clothing … Yay snow!

Can you relate?  What do YOU think of when you look out the window and see a blanket of snow and ice covering your car or truck?  Do you think of excuses to go back to bed and just wait it out until the spring thaw?  Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that luxury.  We’re not hibernating bears that can just roll over in our little ice caves … we’ve got stuff to do!  To that end, here’s a list of 11 handy tips for clearing the snow from on and around your vehicles:

  1. Use a Shovel!

I’m guessing you’re familiar with this option: the trusty snow shovel. Or a plain, old garden shovel, if that’s all you’ve got. I know, just thinking about it causes phantom pain and spasms to shoot up and down your back. Well, suck it up, buttercup! Just buckle down and head out into that Winter Wonderland, and get to scooping. Remember: lift with your knees, not your back. Also, keep an eye out for your older neighbors; why not give them a hand, since you’re out there anyway? And here’s another tip when using a shovel to unbury your vehicle – be careful not to dig too deep! You obviously want to avoid dinging the car or its paint. Go gently, and use the shovel to scoop more than to scrape.

  1. Snow Blower Heaven!

If you live in the South, a snow blower is probably a tool you’ve never owned, much less seen in person. If you live in the North, your snow blower is quite possibly one of the best winter accessories you’ve ever purchased! You can make quick work of the driveway and walkways with one of these bad boys. If you happen to own a snow blower, you’re probably also one of the most popular neighbors on the cul-de-sac! But hey, getting on your neighbors’ good side is a good thing. You still may have to do a little work to unbury your car, but at least a snow blower saves your back from doing most of the heavy lifting! Plus, it’s kinda fun to send snow flying at high rates of velocity…

  1. Not Just For Leaves Anymore!

Speaking of portable wind-generators … have you considered your leaf blower? Think outside the box! There’s no law that says a leaf blower can only be used for leaves. If it has enough power to clear your yard of tree litter, then it just MAY have enough power to blow snow off your cars and driveway, too! As long as it’s not a wet, heavy snow, you should be able to move quite a few flakes with a leaf blower.

  1. Where’s Your Broom?

If you own neither a snow blower nor a leaf blower, there’s still a simpler tool available to you that you probably do own: a broom. If the snow is light and powdery, you can just get your broom on! Simply whisk away the layer of snow on your truck or car, and then you can do a little dance while sweeping off the driveway. Not only is this quicker and easier than pushing a heavy shovel, it also still counts as your daily cardio workout! Just make sure that you don’t try and get too fancy with your sweeping dance moves … ain’t nobody got time for an ER visit on a snow day!

  1. Lay It Down and Wrap It Up – Use Some Tarps!

In modern society, winter weather is one thing that rarely takes us by surprise anymore – your local forecasters have probably been playing up the chance of snow for days, and your phone is quick to blow up with impending weather alerts. Since you have plenty of fair warning before any snow arrives, pull out some tarps and cover your stuff! You can wrap your vehicle, lay tarps on high-traffic walkways, etc. Then, just sit back and watch the snow fall! When you need to head out, just carefully pull off the tarps, and boom! You now have an instant, clear path to your vehicle, with no need for snow or ice scraping. Just remember to bring your big-boy or big-girl muscles for removing the tarps though, as accumulated snow can get a bit heavy. Also be careful not to drag any metal grommets on the tarp across your vehicle, as this can result in some scratching of your paint.

  1. Honey, Where Are the Kids?

It’s always more satisfying to accomplish a task without having to lift a finger, so why not take advantage of an untapped labor pool? Send the kids out to move some snow for you! It’s a great way for them to burn off some energy after being cooped up in the house! But what if you don’t have any kids of your own? That’s OK, find some! Look around the neighborhood for an enterprising young person who’d appreciate earning a few bucks. Then, just sit back with your cup of cocoa and watch out the window as your car gets cleared, without you having to set foot out into the cold nastiness!

  1. Snowball Stash

Ok, this isn’t really a method for clearing snow, so much as a suggestion of what to do with the snow you have to move anyway. If you have no recourse but to clear off your vehicle, why not stock up on some fun ammunition? Scoop up some handfuls of snow from the hood and windshield, and build yourself an arsenal of snowballs! Place them in some strategic locations outside, and they’ll come in handy when you’re ready to ambush your neighbors and loved ones! It’s always good to bring a little fun and laughter to a sometimes dreaded chore, right?

  1. Hair Dryer to the Rescue!

You heard right, I said a hair dryer. Pull out your dryer and an extension cord, and get to it! That concentrated hot air is fairly effective at melting frozen precipitation, AND it’ll save your arms from having to work that scraper. Granted, it could take a while to remove ALL the snow and ice from your car with a hair dryer, but it does work pretty well on windshields and windows, and it will eventually work on the rest of your vehicle, if your patience and your extension cord are long enough. And here’s an added bonus – you can turn the hair dryer on yourself every so often if you catch a chill. Score!

  1. Fight Frozen Water with Hot Water!

You know the saying, “fight fire with fire”? Well, why not fight water with water? Let me explain. Snow and ice are nothing more than frozen water. So why not try boiling a big pot of water and pouring it over your vehicle and driveway! No shoveling, no scraping, just some lava-hot water washing away all that snow! Admittedly, the downside of this method is that you could end up with a slushy mess around your car, but you can be on your way before you have to worry about that slush refreezing. If you’re looking for simple, easy ideas for snow removal, a quick hot bath for your ride may be worth a try.

  1. One Word: Flamethrower!

Because nothing says “winter fun” like a flamethrower!

Flamethrower

 Videos of folks using this fiery method to clear snow from their driveways have gone viral over social media, and the notion of wielding a handheld flamethrower does sound exciting! To be clear though, most experts actually warn against this snow removal method. Flamethrowers are inherently dangerous, it takes a LOT of fuel to be able to melt much snow, the burning fuel creates a lot of black soot and pollution, and any resulting snowmelt can also refreeze as black ice. And as far as clearing your car goes, I think we can all agree that shooting fire onto a motor vehicle is a REALLY bad idea.

 So let’s move on to Snow Removal Tip #11, which is perhaps the best tip of all!

  1. THE Absolute Best Way to Clear Snow from Your Vehicle Is …

… not to EVER have to clear it again! How does one achieve this state of euphoria, you ask? By ordering a custom metal carport or garage from Carport Central, of course! Our steel structures can be built to withstand whatever wind or snow load is needed in your area, AND you’ll never have to shovel or scrape again! Why struggle to get out of the driveway every winter when a permanent solution is available to you?

Carport Central is your clear choice for purchasing metal buildings online. We only partner with top local manufacturers to provide you with the best custom building solutions, and we serve nearly all of the continental United States. Our selection of steel structures is second to none, we provide the best customer service in the business, and delivery and installation are INCLUDED with your purchase!  Check us out online, or give one of our friendly and knowledgeable building specialists a call today at (980) 321-9898!

At Carport Central, We Provide Shelter for Your Way of Life!

Author

  • Scott Kyles

    Scott Kyles serves as lead content writer and marketing consultant for Central Steel Group, the parent company of Carport Central. He’s been speaking to the metal buildings industry and its customers for over 5 years, and also holds professional certifications in secondary science education, training, and customer experience.

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