Proper snow shoveling etiquette? (My first snowy winter)

[Trey22]

I moved to MI a month ago, and we got our first snow on the ground last night.

I was wondering what is my responsibility regarding shoveling snow? I figured I should clear the driveway of course, then the sidewalk (required? I can see how that's part of being a good neighbor), and the walk up to (steps included) the mailbox slot.

Oh, and these side streets are wickedly slippery... main roads are fine since they're salted.

For those of you wondering where I came from, here it goes:

San Jose, CA (Bay Area)

CA to MI you might scream in disbelief?!?!?!?


Edit: Location - Dearborn Heights

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Driveway is a necessity (you will need to get out of the house).

Walkup to the mailbox may also be a necessity (in MA, the mail carriers will not deliver unless there is a clear path to your mailbox or doorstep).

The sidewalk in front of your house is in the category of being a nice neighbor. Do it if you want. Don't if you don't. Sidealks are government owned land, so you owe no duty of care to anyone on the sidewalk in front of your place. Note that you absolutely DO owe a duty of care to folks that visit your property (especially those you invite onto the property), so you want to take care to make their ingress and egress reasonably safe.

You can win big brownie points if you clear your neighbors driveway for them, especially if you know that they out of the house when the snow falls. Not really a big deal if you have a snowblower.

 

[Homerboy]

Driveway is a necessity (you will need to get out of the house).

Walkup to the mailbox may also be a necessity (in MA, the mail carriers will not deliver unless there is a clear path to your mailbox or doorstep).

The sidewalk in front of your house is in the category of being a nice neighbor. Do it if you want. Don't if you don't.

You can win big brownie points if you clear your neighbors driveway for them, especially if you know that they out of the house when the snow falls. Not really a big deal if you have a snowblower.

This is wrong in MANY places. It is your requirement as the home owner to shovel the public sidewalks in front of your house within 24hrs of snowfall. If someone were to slip and fall on snow/ice on your sidewalk it can be YOUR responsibility (ie: you can be sued).

This varies from location to location. Long story short, shovel everything and don't be a dick/lazy person. I just had to trudge through about 5 house-fronts that have not shoveled yet this morning.... a-holes.

Edit: More often than not, on my block, there are a few of us, that whomever is the 1st man (or woman... yeah right... HA!) out there, we'll run up and down the entire block's sidewalk with our snowblower. This is just common courtesy.

 

[Murloc]

This is wrong in MANY places. It is your requirement as the home owner to shovel the public sidewalks in front of your house within 24hrs of snowfall. If someone were to slip and fall on snow/ice on your sidewalk it can be YOUR responsibility (ie: you can be sued).

isn't that public property?
What a weird law.

 

[bignateyk]

Most places have a township ordinance requiring you to shovel your sidewalk within a certain amount of time after a snowfall. If a neighbor complains you can probably be cited for it.

edit: Note that this has nothing to do with HOA's. It is (likely) required by the township or municipality you reside in.

 

[Homerboy]

isn't that public property?
What a weird law.

Google it up. I'm not saying it's ALL cities and municipalities, but its been every one I have ever lived in, and for the most part, heard of too. You can be fined in many locations.

 

[Homerboy]

I'll also point out to the OP, and this has nothing to do with "etiquette", but I don't care what kind of shape you are in, take it SLOW. Snow shoveling is an extremely strenuous activity that ends up injuring lots of people every year. Not to mention people having heart-attacks etc. (Our neighbor in fact had "the big one" shoveling just before we bought our house)

The added bonus is that you don't know whats under that snow. Could be a nice layer/patch of ice you hit and you end up flopping in the air and landing on your ass/wrist/knee and causing damage. Seen in happen many-a-times.

Lastly, enjoy the snow! It's awesome.

 

[preCRT]

Two huge warnings:

Do NOT shovel any snow into the street, it is illegal and dangerous.

Clear all snow off the roof, hood, & trunk of your car before attempting to drive. Again, it is illegal in many locations, such as here in MA.

 

[Homerboy]

Two huge warnings:

Do NOT shovel any snow into the street, it is illegal and dangerous.

Clear all snow off the roof, hood, & trunk of your car before attempting to drive. Again, it is illegal in many locations, such as here in MA.

Two good points, though I admit, if I know the plows are coming through again, I will end up blowing some snow into the road.

The wiping off the car COMPLETELY is a HUGE thing. Man so many people drive around with 4" of fresh snow enveloping their car. Not only can they see like crap, but the cars behind them are no basically in a snow storm. So stupid and lazy of people. Pisses me off.

 

[preCRT]

I'll also point out to the OP, and this has nothing to do with "etiquette", but I don't care what kind of shape you are in, take it SLOW. Snow shoveling is an extremely strenuous activity that ends up injuring lots of people every year. Not to mention people having heart-attacks etc. (Our neighbor in fact had "the big one" shoveling just before we bought our house)

Yup, in the hospital ED, they call those folks "shovels".


There is a huge difference in the weight of the snow depending on the weather, could be light & fluffy, or wet snow as heavy as cement.


Be aware the the snow 'wall' left across the street edge of your driveway, and property line, that was created by the street plow will be much heavier than the rest of the snow. Take it easy when shoveling.

 

[preCRT]

The wiping off the car COMPLETELY is a HUGE thing. Man so many people drive around with 4" of fresh snow enveloping their car. Not only can they see like crap, but the cars behind them are no basically in a snow storm. So stupid and lazy of people. Pisses me off.

I thought it was obvious to completely clear off all windows, but maybe it isn't.


I hate the jackasses that only clear a peephole, they nearly kill kids walking to school because they can't see anything.




Also, make sure to top off your windshield fluid regularly, you'll go through tons after a snowstorm from dirty crap splashed back.

 

[PingSpike]

isn't that public property?
What a weird law.

It's a weird law and it varies from state to state. Around here they have little snow blower machines about the size of a bobcat with a nice warm cab that drive around to clear the sidewalks. The law shoving the task on to homeowners strikes me as basically the city shirking its responsibilities to me. If I had sidewalks in front of my house and was required to clear I'd have them torn out since apparently it is private property that I own and am responsible for. Just like having a pool is a liability I do not want, neither is a publicly used sidewalk.

Considering how poorly the roads are maintained during snow storms here I have a feeling the state will soon propose a program save money by requiring all landowners to personally plow any piece of road that abuts their property.

 

[BassBomb]

My area you must clean the path part of your house, even though the city plows it occasionally its your responsibility... I don't think they care too much about the driveway

 

[Homerboy]

I thought it was obvious to completely clear off all windows, but maybe it isn't.


I hate the jackasses that only clear a peephole, they nearly kill kids walking to school because they can't see anything.




Also, make sure to top off your windshield fluid regularly, you'll go through tons after a snowstorm from dirty crap splashed back.

Another good point. I'd also suggest getting the "pink" fluid for winter. Melts that ice better.

 

[Trey22]

Cool, looks like I'm off to a good start.

One thing I missed was clearing the TOP of my vehicle from snow. I'll remember to do that from now on.

 

[Homerboy]

It's a weird law and it varies from state to state. Around here they have little show blower machines about the size of a bobcat with a nice warm cab that drive around to clear the sidewalks. The law shoving the task on to homeowners strikes me as basically the city shirking its responsibilities to me. If I had sidewalks in front of my house and was required to clear I'd have them torn out since apparently it is private property that I own and am responsible for. Just like having a pool is a liability I do not want, neither is a publicly used sidewalk.

Considering how poorly the roads are maintained during snow storms here I have a feeling the state will soon propose a program save money by requiring all landowners to personally plow any piece of road that abuts their property.

I'll give you one that will knock you off your rocker then. When the city deems it necessary to replace the sidewalk (or parts there-of) in front of your house, guess who foots that bill? That's right; the homeowner. I've know people with corner lots that have gotten hit with $6K sidewalk replacement bills. It's VERY common around here too as there are countless trees (many VERY old and large) planted in the median between sidewalk and street. The roots just up-heave the sidewalk sections at will.

 

[Homerboy]

Cool, looks like I'm off to a good start.

One thing I missed was clearing the TOP of my vehicle from snow. I'll remember to do that from now on.

WHITE OUT! behind ya

 

[Iron Woode]

one big obvious tip (since Ontario is right beside MI): get good snow tires.

pack a snow emergency kit in your trunk if traveling.

drive with common sense.

keep an eye on the snow build up on the roof of your house.

 

[olds]

I saw a lot of people using these in Montana. I've never seen one before.

 

[Homerboy]

one big obvious tip (since Ontario is right beside MI): get good snow tires.

pack a snow emergency kit in your trunk if traveling.

drive with common sense.

keep an eye on the snow build up on roof of your house.

I've lived in WI my entire life (36yrs) Never once has I, or any member of my family put on snow tires.

However, if you are "Up North" things do change quickly. So much more snow up there than down here. It depends on where he is in MI really. If he's down south, he'll be OK.

 

[Ruptga]

If you have thick ice on your driveway you can hammer and then scoop it off. My folks' driveway is sloped and it seemed like I had to cut a path for each tire of mom's minivan every year.

 

[olds]

I've lived in WI my entire life (36yrs) Never once has I, or any member of my family put on snow tires.

However, if you are "Up North" things do change quickly. So much more snow up there than down here. It depends on where he is in MI really. If he's down south, he'll be OK.

Almost any tire is rated for Mud and Snow (M/S) now days. They may suck at it but they are rated for it.

 

[Iron Woode]

I've lived in WI my entire life (36yrs) Never once has I, or any member of my family put on snow tires.

However, if you are "Up North" things do change quickly. So much more snow up there than down here. It depends on where he is in MI really. If he's down south, he'll be OK.

I still prefer snow tires. After the dumping we got here earlier this week, I wish I had put mine on sooner. The traction difference is amazing.

 

[seepy83]

I'll throw another tip in here that everyone may or may not like:
If the forecast is calling for snow followed by freezing rain, I typically don't shovel the snow (or at least leave an inch or two) until after the freezing rain has finished. It's easy to walk on snow that has a sheet of ice on top of it (crunch, crunch, crunch), but it's not so easy to walk on a sheet of ice that's right on top of the concrete or pavement.

Also, stock up on salt (or some other product like Driveway Heat) and sand to spread when it's icey.

 

[olds]

I still prefer snow tires. After the dumping we got here earlier this week, I wish I had put mine on sooner. The traction difference is amazing.

I just put these on my truck. They made a huge difference:

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tirecatalog/Firestone/DestinationAT