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Question about Snow

Truhal
Truhal
I know this is shocking coming from an almost 55 year old woman, but I've never shoveled snow. I either lived in an apartment or my husband shoveled. Now, I'm a homeowner--or rather a townhouse owner. When I first started looking for a place I wanted a condo. Then my realtor said that the townhouses over here included snow removal. I had her to check and double check this fact. Both the seller and my realtor said it was true. Of course I suspected that this wasn't true, but by then, I'd heard so many condo scare stories I figured I'd take my chances with the snow.

So, now here I am. My first winter and I've had absolute confirmation that they don't shovel the snow from the stairs, only the walkway. I'm looking for advise:

Are electric snowshovels safe? I'd only need to shovel from my deck in the back of the house and a few stairs in the front. If I get an electric shovel, where do I plug it in? Are they easy to use? I see one for under 100 dollars by toro, but I'm just not sure.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't know where you live but if you get the wet heavy snows the electric one might take a while and a couple of passes. Any outdoor outlet is fine for the plugin.
Nice thing about here in Colorado where I live is it melts off the roads and sidewalks within a couple of days.
Good luck
Ralph
Caroline04
Caroline04
If you are thinking about purchasing a regular shovel--get a decent one. They make these teflon coated ones--very light about the weight of plastic. They also hold more than the so-called snowshovels, which are flat. Those are OK for the fluffy stuff but it is heavy or ice-coated, the teflon type is much easier to work with.
heartsick1
heartsick1
I agree with Caroline04, get a good shovel. It will work with both wet and heavy and light and fluffy. I have a snowblower, but use a shovel on my narrow walkway to the yard and on the steps and porch (porch is cement).
cleodoggie
cleodoggie
I have lived in Wisconsin for my whole 59 years and I never ever heard of an electric snow shovel. It gave me a chuckle(sorry).Just get yourself a good snow shovel and you will be fine. Why electrify it at such a cost.? Big snowy hugs....
deleted_user
deleted_user
How much snow are we talking about here? Doesn't sound like a very big area, you may be able to even sweep it away if it's a dusting or an inch or two. Anyway, for such a small area I wouldnt bother with a snowblower, a simple snow shovel would suffice, you just have to try it and get used to it. Now, if we're talking feet of snow, then even a snowblower won't work anyway. In that case just pay the guys doing the walkway a few bucks and they'll clear your stairs.

God Bless, Sal.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Not sure where you live, but for me it's in the midwest, and we get some really good snows here. I have a heavy duty shovel. It's lightweight, but has some metal on the bottom, and really does a good job. You just push the snow and the shovel basically does the rest. don't have an electric one, so not sure about them, but sounds like you just need a regular shovel for the stairs, or as Sal said, a broom sorks for just a dusting. I've used both.

good luck with your first shoveling this winter!

Diane
deleted_user
deleted_user
Being from northern Minnesota and having just shoveled the first good snowfall yesterday, I can say an electric one is a waste of money. Get a good lightweight one that is not flat but not a deep scoop shovel. That way you can push it off the steps/deck without having to lift it off. I am a 55 year old woman who has shoveled all of my life from a child up so I know that you can do it. Stay warm!
inmemoryofhattie
inmemoryofhattie
Maybe you could call the local Senior Center and see if they have the names of people who shovel....?

f the snow is a light snow I use a broom and it goes pretty fast....
missmybrucie
missmybrucie
Ok, Minnesota, lots of snow! I use a gas powered snow blower! Electric start. Also I have a helpful hint if you have a shovel, spray it with Pam it helps the snow slide off easier. I just got the snow plow out of storage and started up(thank goodness) now we will not have snow. I figure if i get ready it will not happen. Lol. Of course this is wishful thinking. I think a shovel will do it. Don't waste the money on a electric snow shovel until you know for sure
Brenda
cheerryG
cheerryG
Just don`t overdo it the first few times you do it. I is a great upper body workout, but never doing it you need to take it easy - it`s not going anywhere - we are all in for a long winter. Stay warm, and get the bags of ice/deicer pellets! There also is solar dots that you sprinkle on the snow, and if it only a few inches, they will melt them, and they are a plastic and reusable ( a green thing ) G-
deleted_user
deleted_user
I"m from WI but have lived in GA for the past 30 years, recently have been thinking about moving to KY or Wi to be closer to family but GA is sounding better at least for the winter. My picture shows me with two of my grandchildren, we were ice skating at a small man made rink, no shovel necessary...Blessings Denise
Mgould
Mgould
I'm an old timer here and I know the area where you live - you can expect a lot of snow this year. What on earth is an electric shovel?

I have a long driveway. Last winter I was out shoveling and ALL my neighbors were out with the snow blowers. Not one offered to loan me theres.
boogerwhopper
boogerwhopper
I agree with Diane. And a lil' tip: try not to walk on it before you shovel, if you can. Makes it much easier and cleaner. Melts faster too! When your done, if you have to, a little table salt or a smidge of calcium chloride flakes does wonders for slick spots...Happy shoveling!
Frank
jerseydebbie
jerseydebbie
Two of my neighbors have an electric snow shovel. They are perfectly comfortable operating them. You have to run a cord meant for the outdoors from an outlet in your home or garage to power the shovel.

We were fortunate to have purchased a 6 HP snowblower. Last year I realized that I either had to run it or sell it, for it was just sitting in the garage.

So I suited up, got the direction book out, fired up the snow blower and ran it. Am I proud of myself? You're darned right I am.
heartsick1
heartsick1
I never heard of solar dots. I have new concrete that I cannot salt. My driveway is slopped and this would be great!