Makes no sense to me: People who don't wait to shovel their snow until after it stops snowing (Erie: home, buy)

[BeerGeek40]

My neighbor across the street is out there diligently shoveling his snow even thought the flakes continue to come down and they are calling for 4-5 inches total.

My opinion: a person who doesn't work efficiently and wastes his time.

[trackstar13]

Originally Posted by BeerGeek40

My neighbor across the street is out there diligently shoveling his snow even thought the flakes continue to come down and they are calling for 4-5 inches total.

My opinion: a person who doesn't work efficiently and wastes his time.

Sometimes it makes sense to wait and other times it does not. For instance, if we are supposed to get 6-12 inches of snow or more in Erie I will snowblow twice a day so it does not get too high for the snowblower. If I am shoveling, I usually shovel every 3-4 inches or so. If you wait until the snow is done, you can have a tough time actually clearing all of the snow. This has happened to me a few times when we have gotten 12+ of very heavy, wet snow. The snowblower will usually struggle with that much and shoveling 6 inches of snow at a time is much easier than shoveling 12+ inches.

[TheThistle]

When I lived in PA, I had a neighbor that would get out his snow blower at 4am or so when it started during the night. He would clear all of the sidewalks and the streets in the area since the city plows got our streets last. He'd be at it until the snow stopped in the morning because he would just go over the same path as it got covered again. So, not only did we all have to go to work in the morning (he didn't; he's retired) because the road was nicely cleared and we had no excuse (fine), but hours of sleep were lost because of him and his extremely loud snow blower going past every five minutes. It was never more than 5 inches, so he could have gotten it done after normal waking hours, and it would have been finished at the same time.
I've never had this happen anywhere except Pennsylvania. It seems like there are a lot of people in PA who like to show that they're a "hard worker" even if it means being ridiculously inefficient. I guess it makes sense at least where I was because of the cultural mentality that working brings you closer to god. It never made sense to me unless, like trackstar13 said, it's going to snow so much you won't be able to move it when it's finished.

[toobusytoday]

I just shoveled the end of our driveway so my husband can get up the driveway. The snowplow left a huge pile that he wouldn't have been able to go over easily. Also, it's not supposed to stop until 10 pm. A couple of my neighbors that work from home are snow blowing now so they'll have less to do later.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by BeerGeek40

My neighbor across the street is out there diligently shoveling his snow even thought the flakes continue to come down and they are calling for 4-5 inches total.

My opinion: a person who doesn't work efficiently and wastes his time.

Ever hear the story of the hare and the rabbit? Shoveling is a strenuous exercise, trust me I'm an expert.

If you're getting shovels that are as heavy as you want to lift it's as efficient as it's going to get. You might do a little more walking....

You are using muscles you don't often use like those ones on the back of your thighs plus if you're not in shape it could be dangerous. This a very heavy and wet snow. If you're older or in a poor shape it's probably advisable to take it out in small chunks.

[BeerGeek40]

coal man --- makes some sense if we're getting a foot of snow, but not so much if we're getting 2 or 3 inches which is what we got yesterday.

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by BeerGeek40

coal man --- makes some sense if we're getting a foot of snow, but not so much if we're getting 2 or 3 inches which is what we got yesterday.

Well, there you go, we got about 9 inches. Heavy stuff. Our snow blower couldn't handle it. So, yeah, maybe your neighbor was a little silly.

[Ohiogirl81]

I don't even bother shoveling 2 or 3 inches, except to clear the steps to the front porch.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

I don't even bother shoveling 2 or 3 inches, except to clear the steps to the front porch.

If it's public walk you could be legally responsible and be issued fines in some places if you don't clear them.

[fisheye]

With the last snowstorm we had a very heavy, wet, snow. If you waited; it could have been hard on the back. One foot of fluffy, light, snow can be easier that just a few inches of the wet stuff.

One hint for anybody shoveling snow - buy yourself a can of cheap silicon spray. Then, when your snow shovel is dry; coat that whole shovel (front and back). You will really appreciate that when you get a heavy snow like the last one. It also works on snowblowers by preventing jams in the chute. Even on snow plows it helps the snow slide off. I especially like this on the shovels because of trying to knock sticky snow off the tool - it is hard on your back.