How To Stop A Snowplow From Blocking The Driveway

Countless homeowners rejoice when they see snowplows come to finally clear their roads. That is until they realize that the snowplows create huge snowbanks that block their driveway. You may understandably wonder how to stop a snowplow from blocking the driveway. 

The best way to stop a snowplow from blocking the driveway is to shovel either side in front of your driveway. That way, the snow that gets plowed will wind up on the sides of your driveway and even a little bit in the road. You can repeat the same process if you park on the street. 

Some people hire services to clear their driveways and walkways after heavy snow. This typically costs $45 to $200, depending on the volume of snow. Follow along as we explore how to stop a snowplow from blocking the driveway.  

Why Do Snowplows Block Driveways?

Snowplows block driveways because they move snow out of the way, and it moves to the sides of the vehicle. This can create big snowbanks that block nearby driveways and cars. Big snowplows have little control over the direction of the snow they push.

Snowplow drivers cannot adjust the plow itself, so they don’t decide where the plowed snow lands. Adjusting the plow would cause snow to block the road, rendering plowing the snow pointless. 

How To Avoid Getting Blocked In By Snowplows

Getting blocked in by snowplows means that you might be late for work. Besides that, it’s simply inconvenient and can add to your snow-related stress. Luckily, you can stop a snowplow from blocking a driveway if you take a few preparatory steps, such as:

1. Shovel Preemptively 

You can reduce the risk of a snowplow blocking your driveway if you shovel the area before the snowplows pass your home. For example, you can shovel a path to the right and left of your driveway. That way, there will be a much smaller pile of snow in front of your driveway after the plow comes. 

Wait until the snow accumulates and start shoveling the area in front of your driveway. Make sure to move the snow far enough away from your driveway that the plow won’t push it back onto your property. Otherwise, you risk a seemingly endless cycle of shoveling.

Keep in mind that the plow may still push some snow in front of your driveway. However, it will be much easier to deal with if you have already shoveled the majority of it. 

2. Salt The Area

It’s no secret that snow is much harder to move once ice is involved. That’s why it’s a great idea to salt the area in front of your driveway when you salt your driveway itself. This makes ice much less likely to form beneath the pile of snow on and in front of your driveway. 

That way, snow won’t stick to ice and become harder to move than it otherwise would be. This is a great idea even if your local municipality salts your road. That’s because ice can still form on top of snow and ice even if there is a layer of salt at the bottom.

It may even be necessary to pour salt on top of dense snowbanks in front of your driveway. Otherwise, the ice won’t melt, which will make it much harder to shovel the dense snowbanks. 

3. Shovel The Area Around Your Car On The Street

Some people understandably park on the street instead of their driveways during snowstorms. The thought process is that it will be easier to get to work in the morning, since you don’t have to shovel your driveway. However, many people are disappointed to find their cars on the street blocked in by snowplows.

You can avoid this problem if you shovel the area around your car on the street, as well as the area around the car parked in front of you. That way, the snowplow won’t bury either of your cars and make it hard to pull out. 

Otherwise, you may not be able to get past the snowbank near the car in front of you even if you cleared the area around your car. Make sure to be careful and wear bright colors while shoveling snow on the street so drivers can see you. Luckily, some neighborhoods have designated parking spots for heavy snow conditions.

4. Hire A Private Service

Snow removal services work wonders for homeowners who don’t get the help they need from local government departments. You can always hire a local snow removal service if a snowplow buries your driveway or car. This is also a great option if the snowplows aren’t going to come to your street.

Private snow removal services are even more effective as they focus on the customer. Conversely, municipal snowplows simply push the snow off the street and to the side, often blocking cars and driveways. You can expect to spend between $45 and $200 to hire a private company to clear the snow from your driveway.

The cost varies based on many factors, such as the hourly rate, volume of snow, and size of your driveway. You can also pay a seasonal fee of up to $1,000 if you need to repeatedly plow your driveway and property.

What To Do If A Snowplow Doesn’t Come

No matter how annoying snowplows can be, we need them to safely navigate the roads. It’s worth the trouble of your driveway getting blocked, as you can at least drive to work safely. However, snowplows don’t always show up and homeowners are left with only a few options. 

First, you can call your local Department of Public Works if a snowplow hasn’t come yet. Keep in mind that some areas have limited snowplows, so they may have not gotten the chance to plow your neighborhood yet. Unfortunately, snowplows only plow main public roads in some cities and counties.

In that case, you can’t count on a snowplow to come to your road. This leaves the responsibility up to the residents in that neighborhood. While that is disappointing, you can at least work together with your neighbors to make your road safe. 

How Long Does It Take A Snowplow To Come To Your Street?

It can take hours or even days for a snowplow to come to your street. That’s because cities and towns typically wait until the snow stops falling before they plow most streets. Otherwise, there is a chance that the snowplows would have to tread the same ground again. 

However, they may still plow the main roads while snow is falling if the snow is expected to continue for a long time. Other factors, such as the volume of snow and local resources also affect how long it takes snowplows to arrive. 

Summing It Up

You can prevent snowplows from blocking your driveway if you carve a path on either side at the front of your driveway. That way, the snow that gets plowed won’t create a big bank in front of your driveway. It’s worth hiring a local snow removal service if you have a long driveway and cannot remove all the snow that is blocking the path. 

Related Guides:

• The Best Ways To Keep Snow Out Of Your Home This Winter
• How To Melt Snow Around Your Home Fast