Effective Snow Removal Techniques for Homeowners in Salt Lake City

When the winter months roll around, homeowners in Salt Lake City face the inevitable task of managing snow and ice on their properties. Even though South Salt Lake “dispatches snowplow operators when there is an accumulation of at least one inch of snow on the roadway,” homeowners are still left to clear their driveways, walkways, and sidewalks. And in some cases, homeowners need to plow the road before plows can even arrive.

With the heavy snowfalls that the region often experiences, it’s important to be prepared and understand the best snow removal techniques. Snow and ice can make driveways, walkways, roads and parking areas slippery and dangerous, so having an efficient snow removal strategy is crucial. Luckily, there are several effective snow removal methods available, and using the right products, like bulk road salt, can make a significant difference in keeping safety during the winter season.

From shoveling to using road salt or ice melt salt products, Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center can help you find the right solutions for keeping your property safe and snow-free throughout the cold months.

1. Shoveling Snow the Right Way

While most homeowners know how to shovel snow, professionals have honed the process to maximize efficiency and minimize strain. If you’re tired of shoveling half your driveway only to watch it get packed down and turn to ice, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Here are some landscaping pro tips to help you tackle snow removal like a native Utahn:

Choose the Right Shovel

The right shovel isn’t just a one-size-fits-all tool—it’s a key to reducing strain and getting the job done faster. For residential driveways and walkways, a polymer shovel or steel-edge shovel is often the go-to. Why? The polymer won’t rust or corrode, and it’s lightweight enough for repetitive use. A shovel with a steel edge can help you break through compacted snow without having to put excessive muscle into it. Avoid cheap plastic shovels; they break easily when dealing with heavy, packed snow.

Shovel Smart: The 3-Inch Rule

One of the pro landscaper secrets when shoveling snow is to clear it as soon as it starts to accumulate, but in increments. Instead of waiting for a full 6-inch snowstorm, try to remove snow when it’s just 2–3 inches deep according to . By doing this, you prevent the snow from compacting into ice, which is notoriously difficult to remove. Salt Lake City's weather can swing fast from snow to freezing rain, and that packed snow will turn to ice if you don’t stay ahead of it. Small, frequent shoveling sessions are the key to avoiding hours of backbreaking work.

Use the Right Technique to Prevent Injury

Professional landscapers swear by the “bend and lift” method—bend at the knees and lift with your legs, not your back. It's a simple trick, but one that can save your back in the long run. Also, always scoop small amounts of snow at a time to prevent overloading your shovel and causing strain. Taking it slow and steady allows for a better distribution of effort and keeps your back in good shape.

2. Using Bulk Road Salt for De-Icing

While shoveling is an important part of snow removal, it’s not always enough to completely remove snow and ice. For more effective snow removal strategy, especially on driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots, consider using de-icing products like bulk road salt. Salt helps lower the freezing point of water, allowing ice to melt at lower temperatures.

Benefits of Bulk Road Salt

Bulk road salt is a cost-effective and efficient option for homeowners who need to cover large areas quickly. It’s ideal for driveways, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces where snow and ice tend to build up. Because road salt is available in large quantities, homeowners can store it for the entire season, ensuring they are prepared for the worst winter weather.

Another advantage of bulk road salt is its availability. Many landscaping centers, like Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, offer bulk road salt for those who need large quantities. Whether you’re a homeowner or a property manager, salt road products allows you to quickly spread salt over your surfaces to prevent ice buildup and make snow removal easier.

3. Applying Road Salt Strategically

While bulk road salt is great for larger areas, homeowners can also use road salt for more localized snow removal. Road salt can be sprinkled directly onto driveways, walkways, and porches to prevent ice from forming. This is especially useful for walkways and small parking areas, where you don’t need the larger quantity that bulk road salt provides.

When to Apply Road Salt

Timing is key when applying road salt. The best time to apply salt is right before a storm hits, as this prevents ice from bonding to the surface. If you wait too long, the salt will be less effective as it struggles to melt the ice that has already formed. If snow and ice have already accumulated, apply road salt and wait a few minutes for it to take effect. Afterward, use a shovel or snow blower to remove any remaining snow or ice.

How Much Road Salt to Use

When applying road salt, less is often more. Over-salting can cause harm to your landscape, concrete, and pets. A thin layer of salt is generally sufficient to melt ice without excessive waste. Spread it evenly using a spreader to ensure even coverage. Avoid piling salt in one spot, as this can cause the salt to have less of an impact.

5. Snow Blowers: A High-Efficiency Option

For those who have large driveways or live in areas that experience heavy snowfall, consider owning a snowblower. As most Utahns know, snow blowers are designed to quickly clear snow from large surfaces, making them an incredibly helpful machine for homeowners who want to save time and effort. While snow blowers are effective, they should still be used in combination with bulk road salt or road salt for de-icing.

Choosing the Right Snow Blower

When purchasing a snow blower, consider the size of the area you need to clear and the amount of snowfall your area typically receives. Two-stage snow blowers are ideal for deep snow, while single-stage blowers are more suited for lighter snow. A snow blower can clear snow more effectively when paired with the appropriate salt road products, reducing the time and effort needed to clear snow.

6. Using Ice Melt Products for Cold Days

During particularly cold spells, using ice melt products can help prevent ice from bonding to surfaces. These products work by lowering the freezing point of water, which makes it easier to remove ice. Many homeowners use road salt or salt road as an ice melt solution, but there are also other options available, including calcium chloride and magnesium chloride-based ice melt salt.

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, you can find a variety of ice melt salt products designed for extreme winter conditions. These products are formulated to work at lower temperatures and are often safer for pets, plants, and concrete.

7. Consideration of Environmental Impact

While salt is an effective solution for snow and ice removal, it’s important to consider its environmental impact. Excessive use of road salt and other de-icing products can lead to soil and water contamination. To minimize the environmental impact, consider using salt sparingly and using alternatives when necessary.

For environmentally-conscious homeowners, Kilgore Landscape Center offers a selection of eco-friendly de-icing products that are designed to be effective while reducing harm to your platnts, surfaces like concrete, pets, and local waterways.

Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center

Effectively managing snow and ice removal during the winter months is crucial for ensuring safety on your property. While the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) uses a large fleet of “567 snowplows, 36 TowPlows, 104 trucks with double wings, and 12 snowblowers” to keep roads clear, homeowners often need more accessible and budget-friendly solutions with limited resources to clear their surfaces where these fleets cannot.

From using the right shovels to applying bulk road salt, ice melt salt and other de-icing salt road solutions, there are many effective snow removal techniques available. By understanding the right products and methods for your property, you can stay safe and keep your surfaces clear all winter long.

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer a wide range of de-icing products to help homeowners in Salt Lake City tackle the challenges of winter. Whether you need bulk road salt for large areas or road salt for more specific needs, we have the solutions to help keep your property safe and accessible during the colder months.

For expert advice and to purchase your snow removal products, visit Kilgore Landscape Center today. Our team is ready to help you find the best products to suit your snow removal needs. Stay safe this winter with our high-quality de-icing products!