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There aren't a lot of things more manly than shoveling snow. You can actually have a heart attack shoveling snow because it's just that demanding. But just because something is difficult doesn't mean we should seek to accomplish it. For instance, it's next to impossible to watch an entire episode of the Everyone Loves Raymond without wanting to uppercut yourself, but that doesn't mean we should ever put ourselves through that as an individual. Using our minds to overcome things is part of the dadly way. We are ingenious. That doesn't mean all of our ideas are great though. Some ideas are just bad--but my idea is just brilliant.
Using a push broom instead of a snow shovel
Here are my snow shoveling tips for dads not looking to kill themselves during the Blizzard of 2010.
- Put down salt -- rock salt melts the snow and doesn't allow the snow to lay readily. It's a super obvious idea, but not everyone puts it into practice. Save yourself some trouble and buy 3 big huge bags of it and just spread it thickly over your driveway and sidewalk.
- Shovel often--don't wait until the blizzard is over. Waiting means that you will be lifting potentially thousands of pounds of snow in a relatively short period of time. Why not shovel on the hour? Get the snow off the driveway before it gets deep. What would you prefer? A cardiac arrest or a well earned rest after moving an inch of snow?
- Use a push broom to move the snow--this is the dad discovery I made. Moving snow with a push broom is easier then using a shovel. No lifting, only pushing is involved. You can quickly and cover lots of territory with a push broom. Refer to the video:
That's pretty much all I got. Dads, enjoy the snow, but work smarter not harder. Don't die out there. Also, join The Blizzard of 2010 group and post all your pictures and videos of the snow there. Document the event from how much snow you got to how mad you got when the plow buried your car.
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written by DaddyKV, February 05, 2010
I laugh at you for using a Broom. I like how you start out with "This is a Broom" Thanks Joe ... I was confused.
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written by MileHighDad, February 05, 2010
Glad it's you man! This time anyway, our last ski lesson of the year is in the morning and we have been lucky in our travels that Ullr has been kind so far.
We are traveling by the air to the Midwest in the next three weeks and expect fierce airport conditions to dominate!
We are traveling by the air to the Midwest in the next three weeks and expect fierce airport conditions to dominate!
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written by Daddy Files, February 06, 2010
Oh you southerners crack me up. And yes I'm referring to the mid-Atlantic as the south.
The broom only works with light snow. You get wet, heavy snow and there's no way you can use a push broom. The trick is to get one of those shovels with a long handle that is bent halfway down. It's much easier on your back. And you should put a bag of kitty litter in the back of your car. When you get stuck driving on an unplowed road or a hill, you can sprinkle it to help with traction.
I just think it's hilarious that the whole region shuts down and has a Class A heart attack during a storm like this. In New England it's called winter. =)
The broom only works with light snow. You get wet, heavy snow and there's no way you can use a push broom. The trick is to get one of those shovels with a long handle that is bent halfway down. It's much easier on your back. And you should put a bag of kitty litter in the back of your car. When you get stuck driving on an unplowed road or a hill, you can sprinkle it to help with traction.
I just think it's hilarious that the whole region shuts down and has a Class A heart attack during a storm like this. In New England it's called winter. =)
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written by ReDMoSqUi, February 06, 2010
Done the broom thing! But, only because we got snow in North Carolina and I had NO snow shovel. It worked though....however, no help with the ice...and i had no rock salt....show the garden hoe worked for that!
http://redmosqui.blogspot.com/
http://redmosqui.blogspot.com/
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written by DCUrbanDad, February 06, 2010
I love how that it is barely an inch of snow. That broom won't work on my 20 plus inches. 
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written by Joeprah, February 06, 2010
@ DaddyFiles -- Pfft. We've had more snow than you guys so w/e. Ravens win and so does Baltimore snow.
@ ReDM -- Only brilliant people broom snow. Congrats to be a part of an exclusive fraternity.
@ BD -- LMAO! Pretty sure it's mine.
@ DC Urban Dad -- It worked up until when I feel asleep at 2:00 am. Yeah, anything over an inch is not broomable.
@ ReDM -- Only brilliant people broom snow. Congrats to be a part of an exclusive fraternity.
@ BD -- LMAO! Pretty sure it's mine.
@ DC Urban Dad -- It worked up until when I feel asleep at 2:00 am. Yeah, anything over an inch is not broomable.
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written by SurprisedMom, February 06, 2010
Joe, great advice about the broom! I've got the shovel and the broom on the front porch waiting for snow which will inevitably fall from the sky. Which one I use depends on the weight and depth of the snow. BTW, I've been enjoying your videos!
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written by WeaselMomma, February 07, 2010
Brooms are awesome when you only have an inch or so. Salt is also great until the dog starts eating it and you wind up with hundreds of dollars in vet bill and carpet cleaning. I like your tips and I hope this blizzard wasn't too tough on you.
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written by Joeprah, February 07, 2010
@ SM -- The broom is more of a dusting technique, but still effective. I am glad someone likes the videos. 
@ WM -- I don't have a dog so no salt related carpet bills. My back is sore, but all in all it was a fun blizzard.
@ WM -- I don't have a dog so no salt related carpet bills. My back is sore, but all in all it was a fun blizzard.
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written by azura, February 09, 2010
Hi joe..i watched the video. Thats huge amount of job shoveling snow. Over here in malaysia its very humid and hot. I have to on the fan and the airconditioning!!! Totally the opposite. I think the whole world is experiencing changing of climate.
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written by Bob Fairchild, February 12, 2010
We have a steep section of concrete driveway a couple hundred feet long and get several inches of snow several times a year. It faces north and melts slowly. Unless we clear it we can't get up it even with studded snow tires. I use shovel and/or broom. Thinking of trying "infield lip broom" :
http://www.amazon.com/Collegia...11&sr=1-3
or maybe even monster broom:
http://www.mansiontools.com/Monster-Broom-with-Scarifier-Edge-2-Brisle-Rows-p/0012-82384.htm
maybe skip the scarifier edge, which might (or might not work as a plow) (bad angle)
Probably try the small one first.
Bob
http://www.amazon.com/Collegia...11&sr=1-3
or maybe even monster broom:
http://www.mansiontools.com/Monster-Broom-with-Scarifier-Edge-2-Brisle-Rows-p/0012-82384.htm
maybe skip the scarifier edge, which might (or might not work as a plow) (bad angle)
Probably try the small one first.
Bob
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