Get matched with top roof ice and snow removal pros in Evanston, WY

If you’re struggling to find anything else suitable in your cupboards, a vinegar and water ice melt makes for a passable quick fix. Just don’t expect it to clear your concrete the way commercial products or rock salt will. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and squeegee away the watery slush to prevent more slippery surfaces from forming.

The average cost of a snow removal service is around $85, but this depends heavily on the amount of snow, your location, and the seasonal demand. An annual snow removal contract will typically cost between $200 and $600 for the season. Keep in mind that single services are usually based on the amount of snow, with every six inches adding to your total. You can expect to pay between $40 and $200 in most cases or as high as $500 or more for excessive snowfall. In many cases, it’s more affordable to enter into an annual contract.

Snowblowers come in three different sizes: first-, second-, and third-stage blowers. Each additional stage is larger with higher intakes, more powerful, and has more gear options.

A first-stage blower, also called a snow thrower, is usually best for snow 6 to 8 inches or below. Electric snow blowers are usually only available in this size. If you regularly get snow that’s well above six inches, consider a second-stage snow blower. If snowstorms dump 2 to 3 feet of snow repeatedly during winter, you need a third-stage snow blower to tackle it.

Knocking down icicles won’t help prevent ice dams, as the dams form on the bottoms of your roof slopes and not on the gutters themselves. However, removing icicles can reduce the risk of injury if they form over heavily trafficked areas, and it can help prevent permanent damage to your gutters. Just be sure to wear safety equipment and always stay on the ground while knocking them down.