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Posted by hallerb@aol.com on February 4, 2008, 8:59 pm
> We have a gravel driveway, roughly 150 feet long. It's about 12 feet
> wide, except for a 20x30 area in front of the garage where we park and
> turn around. It has a few curves, and slopes up towards the county road.
> The county keeps the main road plowed, but just getting out of our own
> driveway can be a real adventure.
>
> I've traditionally gone out and shoveled the driveway clear when we've
> had snow storms. It wasn't bad when I was younger, but as I get older I
> realize I won't always be able to shovel snow for hours just to run to
> town. So, I'm investigating other solutions that will be easier for "an
> old guy" to manage. :) Unfortunately, staying home till the snow passes
> won't be an option for many years to come.
>
> The first option seems to be a snow thrower, but I don't really like the
> thought of one more piece of equipment to maintain. We can have a few
> really mild winters, followed by one or two really wild ones. So, a gas
> snow blower could potentially sit unused for a couple of years, just
> taking up lots of space. Fighting to start a small gas engine in the cold
> doesn't sound much better than shoveling snow. And the $700 and up price
> tag seems high considering how often we might use it.
>
> Considering the erratic nature of our storms, an electric model like the
> Toro 1800 seems nice. No gas, no oil, no routine maintenance. I already
> have 100' long heavy duty 12 gauge extension cords, and a couple of
> electrical outlets along the drive. But, I hear they don't work so well
> on gravel drives, or with wet deep snow. Still, the $300 price tag is
> easier to manage, and it wouldn't take up so much space in the shed when
> we weren't using it.
>
> I'm also considering some sort of snow melt system. I'm hoping to install
> pavers and a drainage system in front of the garage this summer anyway,
> so it seems like a good time to install a melt system if I'm going to.
> But again, the costs for materials seems like it would be rather
> expensive. Electric seems like it would be a lot less maintenance (and we
> have low electric rates) than hydronic. But, both systems seem to need
> some type of paved covering (concrete, asphalt, pavers), which would
> further increase costs.
>
> So, I'd like to hear how others deal with snow that falls erratically,
> but can be a big problem when it does?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anthony
pex tubing heated by a gas or propane tankless. electric will cost far
more.
remember all you need is a few degrees above freezing to melt snow and
ice.
it will be costly up front, but great at home resale time.
i have a old friend who had a half mile long driveway up a big hill.
the parents sold the home the new owners went with heated asphalt, and
thinks its great.
imagine flip one switch and no shoveling
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