Clearing snow from the walk, the drive and the roof

Shoveling snow is heavy exercise, much like lifting weights. It raises your heart rate and blood pressure, and it's hardest on people over 40 and people who don't exercise much. If you have a history of heart trouble, check with your doctor before you shovel. Avoid shoveling right after eating or while smoking.

What you need

• A plastic shovel, or a pusher for wide areas
• Warm layers, a hat and waterproof gloves and boots
• A snow blower for long drives, ready for the season

Steps

1. 1

   Dress in layers

   Dress as you would for any time outdoors in the cold, and take extra care to keep your hands and feet warm.

   5 min

2. 2

   Warm up and stretch

   Loosen up before you start, the same as before any other workout.

   5 min

3. 3

   Start while the snow is fresh

   Fresh snow is lighter and easier to move than wet snow that has been packed down.

   1 min

4. 4

   Push the snow rather than lift it

   Push it ahead of the shovel to the edge of the drive. When you have to lift, take small loads.

   20 min

5. 5

   Lift with your legs

   Keep your knees bent and your back straight, and sit into the movement so your legs do the work.

   10 min

6. 6

   Take frequent breaks

   Stop well before you're exhausted. If your chest feels tight, stop at once.

   5 min

7. 7

   Check the path is clear

   Walk the cleared path from the door to the street, and look for any strip the shovel missed.

   2 min

With a snow blower

Most snow blower injuries happen when someone reaches into the chute or the auger to clear a clog, and they include finger amputations. Stop the engine and clear it with a long stick. Run it only outdoors, add gas outdoors before you start, and keep track of the cord on an electric model. Getting the snow blower ready before the first storm covers the fall checks.

Snow on the roof

The weight of snow varies a lot. A foot of light, dry snow weighs about 3 pounds per square foot. A foot of wet, heavy snow weighs up to 21 pounds. Ice is heavier still, at a little under 5 pounds per square foot for each inch. Drifts pile up against chimneys, dormers and changes in the roofline, and ice dams at the eaves stop snow from sliding off.

A roof under too much load usually shows signs first:

• Popping, cracking or creaking noises
• Sagging ceiling boards or a sagging roof
• Doors or windows that suddenly won't open or close
• Cracks in walls or masonry, or cracked framing
• A severe roof leak

If you see any of them, get everyone out of the house and call a structural engineer to inspect it.

Removing roof snow is a job for a licensed, insured roofing contractor with experience doing it. A contractor leaves at least 2 inches of snow on the roof, since scraping it bare can damage the roofing. A plastic snow rake used from the ground keeps you off the roof. Snow on a roof can slide at any moment, so stand well back from the eave.

Why ice dams form and how to stop them covers the ice at the edge of the roof.