Have you ever thought about this question: can you use a leaf blower for snow?
The short answer is: yes, you can use a leaf blower to remove snow from your driveway or porch.
However, it has to be a gas-powered leaf blower since using an electrically operated one is dangerous since electricity and water do not mix. Even a battery-operated one is a big no-no since it is also electrical.
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What are the things you need to keep in mind before using a leaf blower to blow snow?
In the past, the way to remove snow from passageways was to use a shovel, but the task is backbreaking.
As time passed and snow blowers were invented to remove snow easily, buying one for your own can be expensive.
In the meantime, you have less expensive gardening equipment in your garage unused and gathering dust: a gas-powered leaf blower.
It makes perfect sense to use it to remove snow, and why not? It can blow leaves away in summer, and you can use it to blow snow away in winter.
However, there are a few things you have to keep in mind before using it to blow off the snow on your porch.
A leaf blower is not a precise instrument
A leaf blower works by blowing fallen leaves and debris off your lawn and putting them in a pile. They are quite light, manageable, and would not be a problem.
However, snow is heavier and denser, and blowing snow off might be a little difficult since the air coming out from a leaf blower is not precise.
It might take you longer than usual to remove snow and will likely take more passes to clear everything out.
Using a leaf blower effectively will depend on the type of snow
You may have thought that all snow is the same, but no, there are differences.
When snow is still fresh and fine-grained, it is still light and comparatively easy for a leaf blower to blow away.
However, when the snow has stayed in the same place for a long time, it becomes thick and heavy. A leaf blower might not be strong enough to blow it away anymore unless it is designed for heavy-duty work.
A leaf blower is not meant to be used for long periods
A leaf blower is designed not for long usage, so if you intend to use it for a long stretch on your driveway, make sure not to overuse it. It may become ineffective and damaged entirely.
What are the benefits in using a leaf blower?
Using a leaf blower to clear snow from your driveway is out-of-the-box thinking to solve a problem. It is still beneficial if you use it under certain conditions.
Here are some benefits of using a leaf blower:
A leaf blower is lightweight and easy to use
Compared to a snow blower, a leaf blower is not heavy and not difficult to use. A snowblower is relatively large and sometimes makes it difficult to use for blowing snow off your driveway.
You can carry and take it with you even in the harshest weather and blow snow away. It works best in only blowing light and fluffy snow.
A leaf blower works best in blowing small layers of snow
When you see clumps of snow on your porch, the leaf blower is the best tool to use in this situation.
Depending on its power, it can blow off layers of snow more than one inch thick and can still work effectively in snow depths less than four inches.
A leaf blower is effective in small areas
A life blower may not clear a wide driveway but is still effective in cleaning small areas like porches, footsteps, and vehicles.
And mostly in various places where a snowblower and shovel do not work.
Are there other tools you can use for snow clearing beside a leaf blower?
A snowblower is the best tool to use
A snow blower is the best tool to use for clearing snow and is a worthwhile investment. It can remove snow in your driveway quicker and not exert too much effort.
However, you have to keep two things in mind: maintenance and space.
With a large piece of machinery like a snowblower, you need to have a big enough space to accommodate it. You might end up building a separate shed to store it.
Also, you will need to perform regular maintenance for it during days without snow since it might get damaged from neglect.
A plow can clear the driveway
If the snowfall is too deep for even a leaf blower or snowblower, you can hire a plow service to clear your driveway.
If you do not want to hire a plow service, you can buy a plow instead and attach it to your SUV or truck if you own one. It is much easier to operate instead of a snowblower and clearing snow in your driveway will be also faster.
Also, plows are in demand in areas after heavy snowfall. You can earn extra income after people find out about you and hire your plow service.
A shovel is an all-around tool
The handy shovel is an all-around gardening tool and is effective in clearing up snow in your front and back yard. It is the cheapest and also efficient option.
However, shoveling snow is hard work, but think of it as a good workout and an effective way to remain fit.
Make sure to buy the best available quality shovel, and do not choose the ones that bend or break easily.
Use stakes for outlining the area
After a heavy snowfall, your lawn might look like a tundra, and you would not know where the yard starts and the sidewalk begins.
Stakes can assist in delineating the area to know each specific location is. This way, you can decide on the best tool to use or decide to hire a plowing service instead.
FAQ or frequently asked questions about using leaf blowers for snow
What is the proper way to use a leaf blower to clear out snow?
Firstly, you need to check if the leaf blower is powerful enough to do the snow-clearing task. If the snow-filled area is only small, then the leaf blower can handle the job.
Operating a leaf blower is the same as with a snowblower. Aim it downward at a stable angle as you slowly sweep it from side to side.
Do not be aggressive with your movement, and try to remain calm. Watch your step because you might walk on an icy surface and slip.
It is effective in clearing out fresh and fluffy snow and avoiding pointing it to wet snow since it would be ineffective.
Exercise patience in using it because it is not designed for snow use but leaves.
Why is a leaf blower better than a shovel in clearing out snow?
Many people think that a shovel is better at snow clearing than a leaf blower. It might, in some situations, but if falling snow is constant in your area, a shovel might be deemed inefficient and tiring.
A snowblower works in this situation, wherein you can easily clear out freshly fallen snow on your lawn.
Here is another reason why a leaf blower is better: in a recent survey in the USA, more than one hundred people die each year from heart attacks during shoveling snow. It is due to a combination of cold air and physical exertion.
Instead of using a shovel, use a leaf blower instead if you value your health.
What type of leaf blower should you use to clear out snow?
As mentioned above, a gas-powered leaf blower is appropriate to use instead of an electrical one.
The one to use and ideal for winter is a backpack gas-powered leaf blower with high MPH and CFM. It can clear out a large area and has high airspeed.
You can also get a cordless leaf blower, which is not as powerful but works best for the removal of small snow.
Look for a leaf blower from a prestigious brand, which is a good indicator of quality.
Can you use a leaf blower for snow and make it work?
The primary design of a leaf blower is to remove leaves and debris during summer, spring, or fall. But when winter comes, it can also be a handy tool in clearing out snow, and just be sure you are using the ring kind.
