Choosing the right snow removal tools for your home

The essential snow shovel

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) says the ideal shovel should be light—about 1.5kg or just over 3lb.—and have a handle that lets you bend forward no more than 10 degrees when you hold the shovel to the ground with both hands. What else? The blade shouldn’t be too wide and the handle should be made of plastic or wood. Avoid metal, as it conducts cold. Polymer shovels are ideal for fresh snow, while aluminum shovels are easy to handle in all types of snow. The bigger the area to be shovelled, the bigger your shovel should be.

• A curved-handle shovel, commonly known as an “ergonomic” shovel, further reduces strain on your back and helps ease the workload on your heart.
• A sleigh shovel is used to push snow instead of lifting it, so it’s better for avoiding injuries! A wide shovel like this is a must for anyone who doesn’t own a snowblower but needs to maintain a driveway.
• A snow pusher, like a sleigh shovel, is used to push snow straight ahead into a pile, which you can then clear away with a regular or electric shovel.
• A snow rake is used to remove snow from roofs. Again, it’s best to use short strokes to avoid hurting your back or getting snow all over you.
• An ice chopper breaks up ice to make snow removal easier. It’s a key accessory.
• An electric shovel is designed for light work. It makes it easier to clear a walkway or balcony. However, removing snow from steps is more difficult than with a regular shovel, which is why many people prefer a small snowblower.

How to shovel without hurting yourself

Shovelling can be really hard on your back depending on how much snow has accumulated, its texture (wet or icy), and the size of the area to be cleared. That’s why it’s best to avoid shovels that are too big or too short, as well as heavy loads. Throwing snow over your shoulder or to the side isn’t a good idea either!

Did you know?

According to the CPA, shovelling snow requires as much energy as running at 15km/h. Shovelling for 15 minutes at a reasonable pace can be a good workout if you have a healthy heart. If this isn’t you, it’s best to ask for help or have a snow removal company do it for you.

Electric or gas: which snow blower should you choose?

Electric snowblowers (corded or battery-powered) are suitable for small driveways and tight spaces. They work well in light, powdery snow that’s not too deep (10 to 15cm). But they would have a hard time cutting through the compacted snowbank left by a city plow. These machines can throw snow up to 10 metres and clear the equivalent of up to 10 parking spaces on a single charge, or around a third of that if the snow is heavy or hard-packed.

Pros: Requires less maintenance than a gas-powered snowblower, is lighter and easier to store, can be used on balconies, emits no unpleasant odours, and has zero emissions

Cons: More expensive to buy than a gas-powered snowblower, not suitable for heavy snowfalls (over 15cm), and some components are more fragile

Things to consider before you buy:

• Corded or battery-powered: A cord limits the range, but a battery will need to be replaced after five or six years
• Amperage: As high as possible
• Charging time: You can also buy a second battery
• Chute rotation: Ideally, as close as possible to 200°
• Single- or two-stage: A two-stage snowblower is generally more efficient and powerful; a single-stage model is perfect for small driveways, patios, and sidewalks
• Front and rear transmission: For better traction
• Blade: Serrated at the front for more cutting power
• Rotor and augers: Ideally made of reinforced polymer

A gas-powered snowblower is suitable for large areas (parking for more than four cars).

Pros: Less expensive to buy than an electric snowblower, effective for all types of snow (powder, wet, compacted) and large surfaces, no need to wait for batteries to charge

Cons: Noisy and smelly, requires careful maintenance, gasoline and motor oil must be kept on hand at all times, more complicated to store

Things to consider before you buy:

• Engine power: 200CC to 425CC
• Single- or two-stage:
• Single-stage snowblowers are equipped with a two-stroke engine that uses a mix of oil and gas, and have an auger with curved blades that touch the ground. As they rotate, the blades move the snowblower forward while picking up and throwing out snow. These models have no transmission, so they can’t back up. They are generally suitable for small driveways with less than 6 inches (15cm) of snow, as well as for balconies and sidewalks.
• Two-stage snowblowers are much more powerful and are suitable for parking areas for two to four cars. They are equipped with a four-stroke engine delivering up to 425HP and can clear a channel of snow up to 36 inches wide. An impeller propels the snow picked up by the blades up and out the chute.
• Blade: Serrated for better cutting power
• Traction: A track drive is more efficient than wheels, especially in hard-packed or icy snow

Choose the right options for your snowblower

LED headlights, heated handles, a cab, tire chains, skid shoes, or drift cutters can be added to your snowblower for greater comfort, but most importantly to make snow removal faster, more efficient, and more pleasant.

Sand, salt, and de-icers for household use

Entryways can be cleared of snow but still be slippery. That’s where abrasives come in:

• Sand and gravel (salvageable) are usually sufficient to make a surface slip-resistant.
• Ice salt (sodium chloride) is useful for melting ice.
• Melting agents such as magnesium, calcium, or potassium chloride, which are generally less harmful to the environment, are even more effective than salt.  

Learn about the pros and cons of each in our Buyer’s guide for de-icing products.

Do I have a legal obligation to remove snow from my entryway?

Owners and occupants of a premises have an obligation to act as a diligent and reasonably prudent person. That means yes, you have an obligation to clear snow. However, in the event of an accident, the victim must prove it was the owner’s fault. 

If you live in a condo, the condominium corporation is responsible for clearing snow and ice from entryways and parking lots. If you’re a tenant, either you or the owner is responsible for snow removal. This is usually specified in the lease. 

Am I covered if someone gets hurt in my poorly cleared entryway?

As mentioned above, as a homeowner, you’re responsible for clearing snow from your entryway, but if, despite your efforts, someone is injured, you may be covered by your liability insurance. Liability coverage is included in your homeowner’s insurance policy and protects you in case of unintentional damage caused to a third party at your home or elsewhere. Snow, ice, and cold weather can also cause damage to your home. Make sure you have good coverage for that too.