How to Shovel and Salt Packed Snow and Ice | This Old House

[@stoicvibesonly]

This show is a national treasure

[@groundup001]

I dont know what it is about watching other people work thats so relaxing

[@travel734]

As a woodworker, I always have lots of chips from my jointer and thickness planer. I use them on icy spots for traction. In the spring, I can sweep it up and add to compost piles.

[@davec.3198]

For those of you with gravel/dirt driveways, wood ash from your woodstove works great for traction. Since it is darker than snow, it will soak up the sun and help melting.

[@Urahara1001]

My walk has a lot of shade, so in the winter it is horrible at having ice build up, given that it goes through frequent melt and refreeze periods. My solution was to pick up a $20 garden flame thrower from Harbor Freight and melt it down until it evaporates. I'm left with bare concrete when it's done, no residue or runoff to damage the lawn or the house, and a single tank of propane will last me through a full winter.

[@AxcelGamer97]

Good on you. I hate salt.

[@firstnamelastname2552]

That's illegal where I live.

[@youtuuba]

It takes a lot of heat to melt away any significant amount of ice. Unless you are dealing with just a tiny area, the garden flame thrower will not work well, and you will go through a lot of gas trying.

[@youtuuba]

It takes a lot of heat to melt away any significant amount of ice. Unless you are dealing with just a tiny area, the garden flame thrower will not work well, and you will go through a lot of gas trying.

[@mitchjones2821]

youtuuba guy must be a liar then....🤦‍♂️

[@tycox8704]

I discovered an option that works well with our infrequent snowfalls: tarps. We have a steep driveway that I covered with large heavy duty tarps prior to it snowing (technically, icing). If the accumulation isn’t heavy, I can pull the tarp off to reveal a bone dry driveway. If the the accumulation is heavy, I shovel some off first.

[@MB12116]

I was thinking that could work, just like a baseball field

[@krisone5253]

The Sodium Chloride erodes the concrete asphalt and creates huge potholes. The snowplow blade tears it out more. But, hey Winter is tough. Ya gotta do it.

[@christophermaine4085]

Roger: “And when all else fails. Flame Throwah!”

[@DarkRaptor99]

A couple neighbors destroyed some freshly poured sidewalks by putting down rock salt. I only use calcium chloride it works better and is a little less rough on cement.

[@BrandonFrancey]

The real key is to get out and clear it before it compacts. The moment you say to hell with it, I'll do it tomorrow is the moment you lost.

[@James-fl3xt]

We do it the moment the snow stops or we go out halfway through or else the snow blower will have a hard time Also in our family’s experience salting before snow is wasteful and it creates a thin layer of ice on the driveway

[@thetomasloretta]

We learned that hard lesson the first year we moved here. 🤦🏻‍♂️🥺

[@GamingCentralTV1]

Ive done that one too many times and still havent invested in a snow blower

[@dr6124]

That's why I'm here lol

[@jawojnicki]

This is awesome advice, unless you happen to have a JOB!

[@kevini4295]

I guess I am old school. I grew up in central NY. Nothing but snow and ice in the winter. Since I always cleaned the driveway and walk. I'd shovel and then go crazy with salt and sand. Nobody fell. It worked.

[@davec.3198]

I lived in Syracuse (crazy snow belt) and had a 1/8 mile driveway. F*** that!! So glad I moved. Snowed every day for weeks.

[@kevini4295]

@@davec.3198 I live in Florida now. I would have a tough time moving back.

[@Ali-7676]

The real key is having a layer of salt on the sidewalk / driveway BEFORE the snow really starts to accumulate. It makes it much easier to remove all the snow as none of it is stuck to the ground. Shovel it away, throw some more salt on, and forget about it.

[@sparker7768]

That's what I've always done with good results. However, didn't they say leaving the salt ruins the concrete?

[@ClydeW893]

@@sparker7768 Correct. Salt not only ruins, it literally destroys concrete. Good way to end up with water and all kinds of guests underneath your foundation of your home and property. Elbow grease and a shovel will save you thousands of dollars in damages.

[@SocraticDevelopement]

What about the lawn?

[@ROGER2095]

The smart thing to do is cover the whole house and yard with a giant glass dome.

[@DDWES]

ROGER2095 or stone dust

[@MrJabez89]

yahd*

[@dieselslade7240]

Yes!!!!

[@MB12116]

Or a tarp

[@linrogers8602]

whoa flashbacks to watching public tv as a 10 year old and being obsessed with this show for some reason

[@thetomasloretta]

Same here. For me it was the hard core American accent, couldn’t get enough! 😌👍

[@BadMoonRising92]

I’ve seen no more than 3 inches of snow my entire 28 years of life....yet here I am watching this video

[@palsnewfoundlandchannel3589]

We had 39 inches 2 weeks ago in Newfoundland, Canada

[@marcotoni231]

I don't know why I clicked this video...I live in California lol where snow is just a myth hahaha

[@quentin3330]

But northern California gets snow.

[@roaches23]

Big bear?

[@CoalCrackerCummins]

Yeah you guys just have to shovel sh*t from all the illegals and homeless lol

[@philipjohnson6662]

Same method and tools for scraping sh*t off your sidewalk, Cali

[@MrJFlint1886]

I'm in Central South Carolina and no idea why I clicked on it either

[@kentrush8250]

I found an excellent technique which avoids back injuries is to simply hire someone. It works!

[@yuvgotubekidding]

Calcium chloride absorbs water. So if you store it in a damp humid garage or basement it will end up as one solid block.

[@zigzag2162]

Chips things aPAAAT.

[@jzajzz]

do you think this guy is from Florida or Texas? 😂

[@leoarzola4791]

Texas residents watching in 2021

[@antiZEROless]

Where I'm from, we get wet snow every handful of years, which works for me cause I clear the snow away before it melts the next day. And then if the sun comes out, my sideways are dry as a bone.

[@sjs2657g]

For a light to medium coat of ice, or snow that's packed, I've been using a floor tile scraper/remover with a 14" blade. It's twice as wide; making twice the path, cutting your work in half. When struck into the ice, it vibrates, making sonic waves through the ice, and dislodging it from sticking to the sidewalk. When used at a 30-45 degree angle, it's thinner blade scrapes right to the sidewalk, eliminating the need for salt. It REALLY is the BEST.

[@darylfitz4189]

Good to see Roger’s better.

[@mitchjones2821]

Vids from 2014.

[@dakalashi]

My friends refuse to put any salt down as they say it eats holes in the driveway. Is this true? (Their driveway is def older.)

[@ppumpkin3282]

As anyone one living in the snow belt knows, the key to preventing ice is to take care of it before it freezes.

[@Ali-7676]

@Jeffro Lans they'll learn when one of them slips and breaks a hip.

[@Andy-im3kj]

The real secret here is to get at the snow ASAP. Get it all of the concrete and decks and you won't need to salt or sand that much. I only do so lightly as a courtesy for my delivery drivers but otherwise it's just good old snow blowing and shoveling. If it's light and fluffy I'll use my leaf blower to blast it away.

[@jonathansaidah5554]

Happy retirement Roger keep park dr clean and healthy

[@adamanderson9881]

0:47 "Mmmm nice big thick handle.." Lol

[@markforan4812]

Another problem, in addition to environmental concerns is that rock salt is hard on animal paws. Walk a dog for twenty yards on a salted sidewalk and they’ll begin to limp. Calcium chloride doesn’t seem to affect them as much.

[@TNtoolman]

If you can... work with a heavy duty leaf blower while the snow is falling and it minimizes the amount of snow on walks. Won't work in blizzards or if you wait until after the snowfall ends though... Avoids need for chemicals or sand.

[@Psychlist1972]

The snow we get down here near DC is always heavy and wet. Snowblowers choke on it, and a leaf blower is unlikely to do any good. I can see where it would work well up north where it gets colder, though.

[@DouglasPelo]

Hope you're doing well Roger.

[@MukYJ]

So glad we don't have to deal with this very often in the Pacific Northwest...

[@Sacapuntas69]

What is this snow and ice they are talking about?

[@marktemsic485]

been shoveling snow every year for almost 50 years, ✌🏼

[@faviolaortiz8831]

Where's the end of this clip?? It'd be nice to see the end result.

[@JockoV]

Spoilah ahlert! They got all a dat snow atta theyah!!

[@davidsturm7964]

I use kosher salt, and it's a great deicer!

[@sosad9381]

I wonder how Rodger is doing? Does anyone know? I love all them guys I hope they're all doing well

[@TheGomezIndustries]

I just use my flame thrower, make clearing snow exciting!

[@ronmexico1975]

@Francisco Costa No it’s not....it’s called using a propane tank with a hose and a torch tip. People use them all the time for various tasks.

[@djnone8137]

@@ronmexico1975 yea what an idiot. We use those to burn weeds in the parking lot after a killer treatment Elon Musk has a few hundred floating around too if you were lucky.

[@alec4672]

Sounds like a skating rink, what do you wait for it to boil off too?? 😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@hijinks21]

Those don't work on ice. Takes 10 minutes in one area to get through the ice. Nice try though. I live in the co mountains and have tried it

[@TheGomezIndustries]

@@hijinks21 Some people go bungee jumping in the summer... I use flamethrowers in the winter.

[@zackthebongripper7274]

I use a flamethrower

[@luistello1971]

On driveways, I found that a pitch fork works best for the break up of ice and you can go underneath to lift it. The ice chipper is good but not the best.

[@aaronbays4]

They probably don't have exposed aggregate walkways/driveways up north. I live in Tennessee, had one winter where my walk got real icy, it faces north and wasn't going to get above freezing for a week(this scenario happens maybe once every 2-3 winters, normally if it snows its gone in a day or two). So threw some salt on it, ended up popping out some of the aggergate/rocks on the top, never again will I use salt on that walk. Just be careful and don't slip/fall on my walk for the 1-2 days a year its icy.

[@Ali-7676]

Calcium Chloride wont pit.

[@bilalabbasi8446]

can we use salt on concrete roof or old mud roof for melting the snow regularly ?

[@benkitcher2497]

A normal spade with a bit of cooking oil rubbed into the blade works well as well

[@avantikakumari5828]

nice explanation

[@drfarhanshah23]

Thanks 😊 🙏

[@adenreview1371]

great job, helpful tips

[@zeke5491]

Best way is to go to the airport, go somewhere warm- come home in May

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you so much

[@66kprdwd]

Poor Roger. I'm going to miss him no longer on TOH due to health reasons.

[@mitchjones2821]

Seriously? This just ruined my whole day.

[@66kprdwd]

@@mitchjones2821 Yes. Sadly he stepped aside due to heath reason and Jen will take over all landscaping jobs. No one is saying just what Roger is ailing from, but in his last couple of appearances, his arms were hanging straight down, which may indicate ALS, but nothing official has been released. I wish him all the best.

[@JenniferF2882]

Im thinking Parkinson's disease... you can notice him limping almost having difficulty walking.

[@66kprdwd]

@@JenniferF2882 It might be. Only he knows and isn't revealing what he has.

[@kevino1489]

What happen

[@kennymysak2079]

Stock mixing salt and fine chicken grit is the only thing I use and the best part the wildlife eats it to so best of both worlds

[@shutyoassup8377]

I'm a professional landscape contractor but i just like watching other peoples videos to see if they do the same as me and my crew

[@jennigarcia3446]

Omg I love his accent

[@valeenoi2284]

I haven't seen snow in 20 years... what am I doing watching this?

[@heavykiin9337]

Someone was too lazy to shovel their own driveway. So got you guys to do it. Haha

[@bobby_greene]

What about magnesium chloride

[@Ali-7676]

Works. Anything works really, as long as it dissolves in solution. Freezing point depression is a colligative property, so it depends not on the substance, but rather on the amount of solute dissolved.

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

I usually use a Do It Square Shovel on packed snow.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Same here. Works nicely

[@philipjohnson6662]

When will we learn how to tie our shoes??

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I'll stick to my flame thrower 🔥🔥🔥

[@stupidass4567able]

I've done this shit enough times and had it melt away the next morning to wanna do it anymore.

[@parkerk7018]

Concrete wawks 3:54

[@sponsors_not_included]

Wait till spring and watch it melt lol

[@grittyshaker]

Be careful of your pets walking on those salts. It hurts their paws so try and wipe your pets paws when they come inside. I’m surprised they didn’t suggest any pet friendly salts.

[@oneleafaday348]

Same. I was waiting for Roger to speak to the irritability on paws. I guess your best bet is to put booties on them

[@TheRealJohnJ10]

Calcium Cloride is the best. The rock salt destroys the concrete.

[@tonykuhn7813]

It all does I'm a cement mason the only safe way is ash or sand

[@jag18203]

Chip it apaaaaart.

[@parkerk7018]

Idk why I laughed so hard at this 1:38

[@tlnn6598]

Roger: “Best solution, MOVE TO FLORIDA!”

[@williamorr5031]

I like this guy

[@venividivici4253]

Make the kids do it. Sometimes I pay the neighborhood kids to shovel my sidewalk.

[@graleigh84]

I swear I thought he said urethra..im like hell I can piss on snow.👍

[@AgentRedemption]

you aren't exactly wrong urea does exit the body through the in urine and it was historically collected from human urine ....

[@kevino1489]

Why not i do

[@radesigninc]

Low budget?? use clean fire ash.

[@victorr7805]

Once they started scraping the groundand you have the volume up high 😖🤕😣🤕🤕🤕

[@chastityrenee4682]

Come to Buffalo. Bring your power tools.

[@nickcoban23]

I thought this was funnel cake before reading the title. Just passing by.

[@brianfong5711]

2:43 On the m-AHH-kit.

[@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec]

I thought the thumbnail showed a delicious piece of fried chicken with some mashed potatoes on it. Disappointed.

[@yongyea4147]

scratch my brickwork and we'll put in an insurance claim

[@johnnyluck8102]

Fertilizers will pit and damage concrete big time

[@Chuck59ish]

just about all airports and military bases use urea because it doesn't eat the concrete and doesn't cause corrosion on the aircraft.

[@BloodstarDE]

We put little rocks on the walks

[@austin2842]

How is Roger doing?

[@Cypher791]

$40 per bag, great for the environment... =].. $5 per bag but its bad for the plants and the bunnies =o... One $5 bag please

[@9175rock]

Cypher791 I don't know why these ppl like to kill everything. Just like food, Why are things that's bad for you cheaper. Smh

[@rustyjeep2469]

great logic

[@parkerk7018]

Chippahs 4:10

[@FriggOff361]

didnt think anyone would ever need instructions for something like shoveling

[@khoinguyen6800]

This video is helpful. At least for new immigrant came from tropical country like me :) I have never seen snow in my life until I come to America :)

[@cowtippergaming5822]

Dus it do good

[@CookieMonster-mc9mq]

We don't even have snow... Why am i here...

[@SuperMustang1969]

I don’t use any of that stuff. Never have never will. It’s bad for the environment and not to mention tracking it into your house.

[@parkerk7018]

It’s gonna be baaaaaaaaaad 3:44

[@michaellinner7772]

I clicked on this simply because the title makes no sense! It's gibberish.

[@oldcountryman2795]

Never salt. It’s destructive.

[@mattsprayberry0]

The smart thing to do is just not live in a climate where it does ice and snow!

[@justynjonn]

Omg. Hotness!

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

pay some kid to do it!!🤪hic!!

[@MikeM-pk6zq]

Twins?

[@fbksfrank4]

Lol 😅...that ain't Alaskan snow and ice.

[@madsam52]

He is destroying the concrete!!!

[@2sweet4life96]

Sand is not an option. Does not work do not waste your money on sand get a salt bag like a regular human being what's wrong with you!

[@DavidSmith-rf5je]

0:54 reminds me of a PHub video of a couple of dudes trying to get into 1 white woman .

[@jpoppinga8417]

Must be out of ideas this week

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

Amazing sad. People actually do not know how to make their property safe from snow & ice. Living in central Pennsylvania, this just blows my mind.