SNOW WARS

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Okay, so we get this question quite often… Is there such a thing as snow removal etiquette?

You wake up one morning and find that your neighbor just unloaded heaps of snow on your property!

Obviously this is a nuisance as the snow now becomes your problem!

Before you start up you new snow thrower and take revenge, what can be done to mitigate this “snow war?”

Let’s hear what everyone thinks.

The top 5 best responses will get a brand new Snow Joe 622U1 Ultra electric snow thrower ($249/Value) for FREE! (Winners first names and state will be posted on the blog). We will consider the first 200 submissions only. Winners will be chosen on 12/19/2009! (Snow Joe "@snowjoe" staff is not eligible).


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G MAN
Feb 9, 2010 / 10:10 PM

I would get out the yellow food coloring ... mix it with water so you have plenty ... then color the snow your going to throw all yellow then throw it all over his yard. ***** The teenagers and kids around the area will do the rest of the job for you. ***** I'm sure he will hear for years about his lack of bladder control while out playing in the snow. ***** You could also buy him a gift ... a small box of Depends will do just fine. But hey, what do I know ... *****

TREE HUGGER
Jan 6, 2010 / 5:55 PM

I dont care about winning a snow blower, I just need to vent. Two weeks ago my neighbor plowed his icey gray snow over on to my property line. ***** This is the snow that the street plows push into our driveways and yards. ***** My daughter and I took advantage of it and built the mother of all snow forts. ***** It is obivous from the street that there is a snow fort. ***** Two days later the neighbor plows his icy gray snow not only on my property but into the fort that is WELL into my property line. I dig it out. ***** I put orange streamers to indicate there is a fort there. ***** The next day, AGAIN, he plows into the fort. ***** Now, his drive way is not plowed, he parks on his lawn, and the snow he is plowing is the snow that the street plow plowed into his yard and drive way. ***** I dig it out again. ***** I put a peice of wood across the entrance of the fort. ***** That night he throws the wood into my yard and plows again, not only blocking the entrance but demolishing the entrance of the fort. ***** I walk over and say something, he calls me crazy stating that it is just snow. ***** He said I should thank him because with out the first load of snow, i wouldn't have had a fort to build anyway. ***** thoughts? ***** *****

MIKE
Dec 19, 2009 / 10:45 PM

Bring some cookies over to your neighbors house for a holiday treat. ***** Then during a friendly conversation incidently just bring up the subject in a polite manner. ***** Just say that I'm sure you did not realize that the snow was being thrown onto our property and that you would greatly appreciate trying to minimize it in the future if possible. ***** *****

PAUL
Dec 16, 2009 / 12:31 PM

The situation as decribed seems innocent enough, assuming there is adequate space between properties and a good relationship between the parties. The direct methode of approaching the neighbor and having a dialog seems natural. If there is bad blood in existance I can forsee the report to the police, and possibly retalition. I avoid all this by doing my neighbor's sidewalks when I do mine, just something I started doing rather than need, I do think they would respect my thoughts if they had violated any etiquette. I have heard of some urban situations where such an occurance has driven people to a more drastic response, again I believe it is driven by proximity, or history rather than temperment or the action itself. *****

MICK
Dec 16, 2009 / 12:14 PM

Tell your Neighbor that what they did was so low, but You'll take the high road and clean it up with your new Snow Joe, But, if it happens again, for Chhristmas they'll be getting coal with a bow, and the Santa on this side of the fence won't be going "Ho, ho, ho"

FROSTY
Dec 15, 2009 / 4:56 PM

ask why they did this, and then put the snow back onto their driveway with our new snow-joe! ha haaa. lol.

JEN1964
Dec 15, 2009 / 1:15 PM

talk to your neighbor. maybe you can help each other with snow removal its much faster and more fun to work as a team than it would be to make more work for each other

JIM
Dec 15, 2009 / 10:51 AM

My family and I are still new to the northern states that are 'blessed' with large amounts of snowfall. And to be honest, I was somewhat intimidated by the amount of ...snow that we received last winter. We have a circle driveway to our house that can hold large amounts of snow! But we are blessed by having 2 incredible neighbors, one on either side of us, that both have snow blowers, and would take turns coming over to help me clear our driveway. Such a great gesture since all I had was a snow SHOVEL! If I were to win one of the new Snow Joe's, I wouldn't worry about what my neighbor was 'dumbing in my yard'. I would be out there helping both of my neighbors with their drives as they have so gone out of their way to help me. Thanks for my opportunity to enter. Jim Whaley Ohio

@LBOHACZSNOWJOE
Dec 14, 2009 / 11:39 AM

I would start with a note on the door and see if that helps. ***** My personal pet peeve is neighbors who don't put salt on/shovel their portion of the sidewalk. ***** So annoying!

DIANEINIOWA
Dec 13, 2009 / 5:07 PM

Hi! You are correct when you say your neighbor's snow becomes a nuisance when they move it to your property. ***** I work for the Police Department in a small Iowa town and we hear about this happening more often than one would hope. ***** When the dispatcher gets one of these calls they create a 'nuisance' CR (Call Report) then an officer contacts the offender and requests the snow be removed back to the appropriate property...and not into the street either as that is also a no-no. ***** In the eight years I've worked at the PD these incidents have never ended in an all out "Snow War"! ***** ***** ;-) Happy Holidays! Diane Ameling

STEVE FROM OHIO
Dec 13, 2009 / 1:26 AM

I had that very problem when a snow removal company was pushing my neighbors snow into my yard and scraping up my grass. I was new to the neighborhood two years ago and the snow in northern Ohio was pretty deep. We get about 6 feet a year here in the snowbelt. I had talked to my neighbor about it and he said that the company he has plowing his snow is also scraping away his grass and has hit his shrubs and his light pole damaging them. He was not happy with them but it is hard to find anyone to come out to clear the driveways now a days. So I went out and bought a small gasoline powered snow blower and told him I would do his driveway for free. It was kind of fun and I then started doing all my neighbors driveways. I was able to break the ice with my new neighbors and the free snow blowing made me very popular in the neighborhood. A good way to meet the new neighbors. I unfortunately had that snow blower stolen from the back of my pickup truck when I was taking it to my brothers home to do his driveway. I stopped at a local store and when I walked back to the truck it was gone. My brother went and got a SnowJoe ultra from Lowe's after seeing an advertisement and he loves it. I am going to have to get one myself soon.

COMMUNITYCOLOR
Dec 11, 2009 / 11:16 PM

The best answer to the question is to carefully study both your property and neighbor's property. Figure out the areas that need to be cleaned, and decide the best places for snow. In studying the snow, it is wise to examine melting patterns. As I live in a desert, I like the fresh snow to melt into the soil. I want salty snow, from the street, to melt into the gutter. It my area, it is illegal to throw snow onto the city street. So, I have things designed with a location to pile the salty snow that drains back into the city gutter. Having figured out where to put the snow, invite the neighbor into the conversation about the best places to pile snow. A conversation about the best place to put the snow generally works better than an argument about cleaning the snow. PS: here is a picture the 6' high pile of snow at our house. http://protophoto.com/picture.html?pic=13396 Kevin Delaney - Salt Lake City

LUCKYCAT7
Dec 11, 2009 / 10:56 PM

I would confront the neighbor and tell him our security cameras caught "someone" dumping snow on our property. Any idea who it could be? :)

CR
Dec 11, 2009 / 10:25 PM

I would show my kindness and get out early to blow out all of the neighbors driveways and walkways. ***** It would be great to show them that an electric snow joe can keep up with their $1200 snow blower.

DSWANY
Dec 11, 2009 / 11:52 AM

I would get out the Snow Joe, clean up the mess & the next time it snowed, I'd make sure I got out there first & did his driveway along with mine. ***** This could start conversation about his/her snow blowing abilities!

MELISSAAGGIE98
Dec 11, 2009 / 2:54 AM

I think in this situation it would be the perfect time to "pass the buck" or the snow as the case is. ***** I would take my new Snow Joe and blow it into the street...let the county with the really big equipment figure out what to do with all that snow!

BECCA@SNOWJOE
Dec 10, 2009 / 5:39 PM

I would gather all of my friends (who are still kids at heart) and have a snow ball fight - complete with snow forts!

ALI@SNOWJOE
Dec 10, 2009 / 2:35 PM

since,using the snowjoe thrower is fun,I would be very nice to my negibor. I would say bring it on, no prolbem. I got snowjoe thrower.

ALI@SNOWJOE.COM
Dec 10, 2009 / 1:59 PM

I would tell my neighbor,bring it on, i got snowjoe! why do not you have one.

MONGOL@SNOWJOE
Dec 10, 2009 / 11:35 AM

Walk up to the neighbor and tell them that they should not bring their problem to you, but you are kind enough to help to solve their problem because you own one of the Snow Thrower from Snow Joe!

CHRIS P.
Dec 10, 2009 / 9:15 AM

If your neighbor has kids, ask them to come over to help you remove all this extra snow someone has piled up on your property. Make sure you provide cookies, cake, etc, so make this work more enjoyable for the kids. When your neighbor gets home and sees his kids cleaning up his mess, he'll think twice about piling it on your property again.

CHRIS
Dec 9, 2009 / 9:06 PM

I would get my kids and there kids together and have them build a snow fort with tunneling out of the heaps of snow and make the best out the situation at hand with enjoyment for the kids.Then afterwards talk it over with the neighbor about where we can mutually snowblow our properties to an area where the kids can use the mounds of snow and play together and build lasting memories and snow forts.

SKARY
Dec 9, 2009 / 7:26 PM

Basically, people are too whiny these days. ***** If my neighbor heaped snow into my yard, I would not really care at all as long as it didn't impede my ability to get in or out of my driveway. ***** There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. ***** I would, however, ask him not to do it again non-confrontationally. ***** Civility is the key, don't be a prick and don't overreact.

MATT
Dec 9, 2009 / 7:21 PM

If your neighbor and you have kids, ask them to put the snow on the property line, and do the same. Mention that the kids could sled on the snow hill and make snow forts, etc. That way all that snow can become a fun activity instead of a problem. Your neighbor won't take offense to your accusations of "snow dumping" this way.

SHANNON
Dec 9, 2009 / 7:19 PM

Kill them with kindness. Next time get up early, use your snow blower to clear their walks so they always feel to guilty to mess with you in the future!

JASON
Dec 9, 2009 / 6:54 PM

I think I would get out the new Snow Joe start her up and pretend I'm riding her like a bull - hooting and hollering like a crazy person. Then I would do my driveway and sidewalks and stop right at the property line, just like neighbors with a snowblower and yelling "thanks for the help Joe" and patting the snowblower like a pet. PS. my neighbors name is joe.

JOHNLAW
Dec 9, 2009 / 6:43 PM

If it happens more than once I would setup a TV camera the night before the next snowfall and record the incident. Then I would play it for my neighbor and tell him/her if it happens again I will give the recording to the police, block association, community board... and post it on the internet.

JENWOO
Dec 9, 2009 / 6:20 PM

I would mitigate the problem by first baking some yummy cookies, cakes and treats. Pile them high on a holiday plate. Take them over to my neighbors house and say "Merry Christmas" Chat with them about someone being so mean on Christmas and make them feel guilty until they offer to help me remove the snow. I alway say when people are mean...shower them with affection. It usually makes people think twice about doing hateful inconsiderate things.

NUNYA2OO7
Dec 9, 2009 / 6:13 PM

I say make a snowman from the snow that was dumped on your yard right at the entrance of his yard so he will see it when he pulls into his drive. Put some sort of sign saying--(either a nice comment like) "Look what I made from the snow from YOUR yard." Or(not so nice) "Hey A-Hole, keep your snow in your own ***** lawn. " Or if you got a dog just put some of their poo on his porch, drive, etc. :D If you don't have an animal-- DON'T use your own!!!! *****

ZMISSYZ09
Dec 9, 2009 / 5:57 PM

The best way to mitigate the snow war would be to just remove the snow from my property, and than nonchalantly drop by to see your neighbor and tell him how some unthinking moron piled all thier snow on your property. ***** Lay it on real thick sayin how if they would have asked you would have left the m borrow your snowblower, and tell him thank you for not being like the other neighbor. ***** ***** Thank advise him that he could be the next one taken advantage of by having pile upon pile of snow but on his property. ***** Hopefully he'll feel like a total jerk and get the hint... and if not well than .... It's on like donkey kong!!! Happy shoveling!

AMP
Dec 9, 2009 / 5:44 PM

Think positive-if the snow is not on a driveway or sidewalk it's not a problem-more snow for kids to make snow forts and protect plants underneath! If it's on the the sidewalk or driveway-blow it away and leave a note for your neighbor to come over and chat over a cup of cider and cookies and just explain that he probably didn't realize that you would now have to get rid of the snow. *****

ZEEAAY
Dec 9, 2009 / 5:44 PM

***** First i have to this win brand new Snow Joe 622U1 Ultra electric snow thrower and then i dont care what ***** my neighbor does i have a solution of antything snow removing.

ALEXJ
Dec 9, 2009 / 5:44 PM

At night, launch heaps of snow in front of his/her driveway and listen for the SCREAM in the morning.

CHRIS, NEW YORK
Dec 9, 2009 / 4:06 PM

You could just send it flying back his way, or when he leaves for work: 1. Gather up the rogue snow 2. Make snowman 3. Make smiley face on snowman 4. Attach note to twig hand of snowman that reads: "I'm baaaack." I know it's a lot of work, but I guarantee it gets the point across.