Winter is upon us, and that means snow and ice. While it may be peaceful to look out your window and see the snowcapped Rocky Mountains and trees covered in white, it also means the need to clear roads, driveways, and walkways. Are you prepared? Do you know what types of options are available for ice and snow removal? If you’re living in the Pikes Peak area, you need to be prepared:
Shovels: This is the most basic and cheapest tool for removing snow and ice and is a necessity if you live in Colorado. The large, flat shovels are great for entryways, steps, and even small walkways. However, you could be spending a lot of time in the cold wind if you plan to clear your entire driveways with it –especially after a large snowfall.
Snow Blowers: These are a mainstay in most Colorado Springs homes. But, if you’ve been to the local store, you may have realized they come in various sizes. While you may be tempted to think, “Bigger is Better”, don’t get tempted into buying a machine that you don’t need.
- Single-stage snow blowers are typically strong enough for suburban homeowners. Resembling a typical lawnmower, they are lightweight, maneuverable, and perfect for driveways and sidewalks. They handle heavy wet snow well, but are not good on hardened ice. These are the most affordable, starting at just a few hundred dollars.
- A two-stage snow blower is good for larger driveways or drifting snow. They are often self-propelled and have larger augers that work on bigger areas and larger snow drifts. These snow blowers are significantly more expensive, and you can expect to pay $800 or more for one.
- Snow blower attachment: Many tractors come with an attachment for this purpose. The attachments may be as simple as a plow blade, or can be as elaborate as a single or two-stage blower. Prices start at a few hundred dollars and go up depending on size and manufacturer.
De-Icers: Although snow blowers may remove most of the snow and ice from your driveway and sidewalk, they often leave a thin layer of ice behind that you will still need to contend with. De-icers are chemical agents that are spread on snow or ice. They seep through to the surface of the pavement and melt the ice there, breaking the bond between the ice and ground and making it easier to remove the snow. You should use de-icers with caution, however, because many of these chemicals have been found to harm Colorado’s beautiful environment. Be sure to read the labels and only use chemicals as suggested by the manufacturers.
Emerging technologies: The most environmentally friendly way to handle ice is to use heat. Technological advances are making it possible to de-ice and melt snow from the walkway of your Colorado Springs home without the use of chemicals and with limited need for snow blowing or plowing:
- Electric Snow Melting Systems: Similar to radiant heat systems used indoors, these systems use buried cables to heat surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways. While some require being placed under a new concrete pour, there are some that only require grooves be cut into existing concrete and then filled once cables are laid. Final costs may run into the tens of thousands of dollars and depend on manufacturer, labor, electric system upgrades needed and how the system is installed.
- Hydronic systems use flexible pipes buried under concrete to circulate heated fluid that warms the surface. Typically, these pipes must be buried before concrete is poured. These systems may run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
- Infrared systems use quartz lamps on poles targeted to warm up desired surfaces. These systems are great for small remote spots, such as a shielded walkways and courtyards. Although they can be easily installed, they use more energy than the other systems, leading to higher energy costs.
- Electric Mats: Special rubber mats are a great method for keeping stairs and small areas free of snow and ice. There are various sizes and styles available. Products start at just a few hundred dollars.
Snow is a way of life in Colorado Springs, and we wouldn’t want a winter without it. From a day of skiing to enjoying an evening snowfall with friends and hot chocolate, it is one of the things that make Colorado great. However, being prepared for the snowfall is a necessary part of the fun, regardless of which methods of snow removal you choose. When you’re ready to buy or sell a home in the Pike’s Peak Area, call The Roshek Group! We are ready to help you with all of your real estate needs.
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