7900 Excelsior BLVD Suite 2800, Hopkins, MN 55343
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Book Now For Snow Removal Services This Winter

10/26/2015

There's no denying that the first snowfall in Minneapolis and St. Paul is beautiful, but the novelty wears off quickly when you have to shovel and plow it for months on end. Not only is this chore time-consuming, it can also be hard on your back and knees. Ignoring the snow won't make it go away, at least not until springtime. It also could keep you stuck indoors, which your boss might not appreciate. If you're the boss, keeping your property free of snow and ice is essential to prevent someone from sustaining an injury.

Best Practices for Shoveling Snow at Home
When there's a break in the snowfall, make sure that you have a sturdy, ergonomically designed shovel and head out to the driveway. A plastic shovel is less apt to freeze than a metal one, although shovels made of aluminum are the most durable. To avoid injury, push the snow across the driveway until it is out of your path. Avoid lifting the heavy snow so you don't become over-exerted. If you must lift the snow, be sure to bend at the knees before doing so. It's also important to dress appropriately for the weather and take frequent hydration breaks.

For a large dumping of snow, it's best to use a snowplow if you have one. You can attach a plow to the front of a heavy-duty truck or purchase a separate unit. For the sake of efficiency, plan to drive a bit slower when the snow is compacted, wet, or extremely thick. This allows the blade to go deeper into the snow. It's essential that you understand how to operate the plow safely before attempting to use it for the first time to avoid serious injury or even death. Additionally, you need to budget several thousand dollars if you want to buy a snowplow of your own.

Stay inside Where It's Warm and Let the Lawnsmith Worry about Snow
At The Lawnsmith, we don't shut down for the winter. We're available all season long to help residential and commercial clients with their snow removal needs. You can request monthly or per-incident snow plowing services as well as snow removal packages based on the amount of snowfall. Even though it's only October, our available openings fill up fast. If you would rather enjoy hot chocolate and winter sports than shovel snow, don't hesitate to reserve your spot today.

Photo Credit: Otispug

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Fall Gutter Cleaning: Why The Leaves Need To Go Before The Snow

10/13/2015

As beautiful as autumn leaves can be in Minnesota, they can also cause problems when they remain in your home's gutters all winter long. Leaves attract moisture, which in turn attracts mold, mildew, rot, and insects. Another thing to consider is that standing water eventually freezes. Frozen water in your gutters could cause ice damming and significant structural damage to your roof. When leaves get wet, they quickly turn into a pile of mush that can clog up your gutters so no water can pass through at all. This defeats the purpose of having gutters entirely.

Equipment Required to do the Job Yourself
The most obvious thing you need to clean your gutters is an extendable ladder. To ensure your safety, you should use a ladder with a stabilizer, also called ladder horns. These adhere to your roof to keep the ladder from shifting out of place suddenly. It also prevents accidental damage to your gutters.

Once you get to the top of the ladder, you will need a good pair of gloves and a gutter scoop if you can find one at your local hardware store. If not, use a shovel meant for scooping large amounts of sand. As you remove the leaves and other debris from your gutters, place it in a plastic bag to prevent damage to your lawn. Lastly, use a garden hose to flush the downspouts and gutters.

The Lawnsmith Offers Professional Gutter Cleaning
Most homeowners would rather do just about anything else than clean their gutters. Whether they're afraid of heights, don't like scooping up the mess, or just don't have the time, it's not usually high on the priority list. Unfortunately, putting it off indefinitely could cause you serious problems this winter. To avoid the possibility of roof damage, hire The Lawnsmith to do the job for you.

Our fall gutter cleaning service includes two separate visits to ensure that your gutters are prepared for the long winter ahead. We remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your gutters by hand and haul it away for you. If your gutters appear clogged, we use a blower on the downspout to make sure that water can flow through it freely. Please contact us for an estimate soon as our gutter cleaning service is in high demand at this time of year.

Credit: Rekemp

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