The 15 Handiest Hacks To Take Care Of Snow And Ice Outside

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Chilly, harsh winter weather might present the perfect opportunity to cozy up to the fireplace with a good book, but outside, it's not all fun and games. According to data shared by Value Penguin, severe winter weather has caused an average of over $200 million in damages to property each year for the past decade. Sometimes, damage from sudden freezes or unexpected snowfall is unpreventable, but regular maintenance can help decrease the chances of major issues and make your day-to-day activities much safer — no accidental tumbles thanks to frozen sidewalks, a buildup of ice on fragile parts of the home, or piles of snow that make the driveway inaccessible and slippery.

Unfortunately, this regular maintenance also takes time and effort, especially if you live somewhere that experiences more extreme cold snaps for several months of the year. Shoveling your driveway, removing ice from your roof, and defrosting your car to get to work nearly every day can feel like a never-ending cycle, but plenty of tips and tricks can help make the process much easier. A few hacks aren't going to completely eliminate the work it takes to make it through an icy winter, but they are likely to leave you wondering why you ever relied on the "normal" way to get things done.

Clearing the snow off your driveway is a simple process, but it can become more complex and frustrating when the snow starts sticking to your shovel. As it turns out, the solution to this issue is as simple as adding a bit of lubrication. Head into your kitchen, grab the cooking spray — any brand or type will do — and coat both sides of your shovel generously. If you don't have spray on hand, you can instead apply a bit of oil with a paper towel or brush to get the same smooth gliding result.

The most challenging part of winter maintenance is making it through without taking a cartoon-style tumble — thanks to a lack of traction on icy or snowy surfaces. Sure, you could throw on a pair of lug-sole boots and get to work, but if you need a bit of extra help, try sprinkling some salt or sand on the surface to decrease the slip factor. In a pinch, cat litter can also work, but beware — most brands will absorb water and quickly turn into a mess of sticky clay rather than a gritty, stable surface.

If you know a particularly heavy snowfall is heading in, consider taking a page from the professionals' book and try salting your driveway and sidewalk before it hits. Of course, you can always do the same after the snow has fallen, but salting preemptively ensures that nothing will stick and build up, making your shoveling job much easier down the line. Instead of having to soak in from the top down, the salt will form a layer of briny slush that can help prevent snow from sticking and slippery black ice from solidifying.

Some materials, like glass, plastic, and rubber, don't respond well to extreme changes in temperature or high heat. While it might be tempting to pour hot water on your frozen windshield or tires to help speed up the melting process, this is almost never a good idea. Instead, if you need to defrost these surfaces quickly, pour on a bit of room temperature or slightly warm water to get things going. It might not do much if the air is cold enough to cause the water to quickly refreeze, but it's a good hack for milder, icy days.

If you live in an area with super cold winters, you're likely already familiar with ice dams. Essentially, these buildups of ice and snow happen when snow on the roof melts — due to the home's heat — and refreezes. Large icicles form along the gutters, left untouched for long enough, can weigh down and break off parts of your home. To prevent this, try either decreasing the temperature of your upper floor or attic or investing in better insulation so the snow won't start the cycle of melting and refreezing.

If you have a trampoline in your yard and you've decided to forgo breaking it down and storing it for the winter season, you must be cautious about the snow and ice collecting on the surface. A small amount is fine, but thick layers of snow put significant stress and weight on the fabric and strings. To support the trampoline from underneath, consider sliding a folding table underneath. It will essentially act as a crutch if the trampoline's surface begins to sag under the weight of the snow and ice on top.

Using a windshield scraper to clear off ice is one of the more efficient methods, especially if you need to quickly create a hole to see through on your car's windshield, but it can be tedious work if you try to defrost the entire thing. Instead, try using a hack that's been making the rounds on the internet thanks to its simplicity and efficiency: filling a plastic bag with slightly warm water and rubbing it over the icy surface. Make sure the water is warm, not hot, and slide the bag around over the ice until it's melted.