Whether the sidewalk is littered with dirt or filled with snow, it is the responsibility of a Minneapolis homeowner to clean it up. This practice is pretty standard in most North American cities.
Sidewalks are considered public land, and everyone in the area benefits from their use. However, the onus of seeing to it that they are being properly cared for rests on private citizens. To people that have to spend money on hiring commercial snow removal Minneapolis services, this doesn’t look fair. As a result, several debates about whether the government should pay for the sidewalk shoveling or for private citizens to continue dealing with it have been going on.
Agencies dedicated to making Minneapolis a more pedestrian-friendly city are of the opinion that the government should be made responsible for the shoveling, just like it does for drivable roads. The agency feels the government is playing a huge double standard in how it is treating people who walk versus those who drive.
And since most property owners won’t shovel their sidewalk until it becomes uncomfortable or dangerous for them to use, other sidewalk users in the area are also affected. This becomes extremely frustrating for anyone to navigate the city on foot. People suffering from some form of disability find it even more difficult. This argument justifies the opinion that a Municipal Sidewalk Shoveling program should be adopted.
Meanwhile, here are some common ways to remove snow from your sidewalk.
Ways To Remove Snow On Your Sidewalks
Book A Snow Removal Service
Booking a snow removal service is one of the most effective ways to get rid of snow on your sidewalks. Still, it’s important to know the records of a snow removal company when choosing them. That way, you can know how well they’ve been satisfying the needs of clients to determine if hiring them is a good choice or not. Research has shown that highly-reviewed snow removal companies offer excellent services.
Snow Plowing Service
Snow plowing service is a practical solution for long driveways or commercial spaces. If you own a business, snow plowing could be the best option for you. However, you need to make enough inquiries before choosing this method. Most importantly, it would be best if you only got an expert to do it for you.
Heated Driveway System
HA heated driveway system is another reliable way for home and business owners to keep ice and snow-free away from their property. Aside from keeping your property snow-free, having a heated driveway system can also increase the value of your home. However, you should get an expert to carry out this installation for you.
Electric Heating Systems
This electrical sidewalk heating system is designed to ensure snow and ice-free surface at all times. When you choose an electric heating system, it can help to ensure safety since it only heats the surface above freezing when needed.
Shoveling
Shoveling is a DIY method of removing snow from sidewalks that involve the use of shovels. However, this method often results in back pain. According to research, removing snow through shoveling leads to 11,500 medical emergencies and an average of 100 deaths annually. Besides, it doesn’t have much impact on the environment.
Salt
Salt is quite effective in melting minimal snow or ice accumulation, but it’s not cost-effective when dealing with a large area. Moreso, pet owners can’t use salt due to the negative impact it can have on their animal friends if it’s ingested mistakenly. Apart from pets, using salt in melting snow also has a great impact on the environment. Both humans and ecosystems suffer from the water pollution created by using salt to melt snow.
Snow Blowing
Snow blowers significantly reduce the amount of physical ability needed for snow removal. However, this equipment requires maintenance costs, and they add to electricity bills. Storing this equipment is another issue become of its size. Even though some people may have enough space for it, others may struggle to keep it in cramped apartments.
Surface Heating Mats
One of the major benefits of heated surface mats is that one can use them on any existing surface. These devices are designed to be laid before snowfall, then plugged on to start the melting process.
Hydronic System
Hydronic systems are connected to boilers in the home and are popular for having low running costs. This system is highly effective in getting rid of snow from the sidewalks. Still, it’s essential to consider maintenance costs before choosing this snow-melting system.
In conclusion, you need to examine your surroundings before deciding on any of the above systems. For instance, if you have a small sidewalk, the shoveling and surface mat system may be perfect for you. But if you are dealing with a large snow area, you may need to employ the hydronic system. Alternatively, you could hire a removable snow company to do their job.
