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[quote=Anonymous]
[size=18][b]Shoveling Strategy: 8&quot; Snow followed by 12h Sleet (&lt;20°F)[/b][/size]
When dealing with this specific sequence, the goal is to prevent the formation of &quot;ice concrete.&quot; If sleet saturates 8 inches of snow and then freezes, it becomes nearly impossible to remove without heavy machinery.
[size=15][b][u]1. The &quot;Clean Slate&quot; Phase[/u][/b][/size]
[b]Action:[/b] You must shovel the 8 inches of snow [i]before[/i] the sleet begins.
 * [b]The Risk:[/b] Sleet is liquid or semi-liquid; it will filter through the snowpack. When temperatures are below 20°F, this mixture freezes into a solid block.
 * [b]The Goal:[/b] Get down to the bare pavement. Even a half-inch of leftover snow will act as a sponge for the sleet and create a bond with the ground.
[size=15][b][u]2. Chemical Management for Low Temps[/u][/b][/size]
Standard rock salt (Sodium Chloride) is ineffective once temperatures drop below [b]15°F to 20°F[/b]. Use the following guide for choosing a de-icer:
-- [b]Rock Salt:[/b] Effective to 15°F. (Avoid in these temps)
-- [b]Magnesium Chloride:[/b] Effective to -5°F. (Good choice)
-- [b]Calcium Chloride:[/b] Effective to -25°F. ([b]Required[/b] for these temps)
[i]Apply your de-icer immediately after the first shovel pass. This creates a brine layer that prevents the sleet from bonding to the driveway.[/i]
[size=15][b][u]3. The Sleet Maintenance[/u][/b][/size]
12 hours of sleet is a long duration.
 * [b]Intermediate Clears:[/b] Do not wait for the full 12 hours to pass. Sleet is extremely heavy (often 3x the weight of dry snow).
 * [b]The Scrape:[/b] Use a metal-edged shovel or an ice scraper to clear the slush every 3–4 hours. It is easier to move 1 inch of slush three times than 3 inches of solid ice once.
[size=15][b][u]4. Safety & Ergonomics[/u][/b][/size]
Sleet-laden precipitation is often called &quot;Heart Attack Snow.&quot; Because the temperature is below 20°F, your blood vessels are already constricted. Do not attempt to lift full shovel loads of water-heavy sleet.
 * [b]Traction:[/b] If the temperature stays below 10°F, chemicals may stop reacting quickly. Keep a bag of sand or poultry grit on hand for physical traction.
 * [b]The Tarp Trick:[/b] If you have a small walkway, lay a heavy-duty tarp down after your first shovel pass. Once the sleet ends, you can drag the tarp (and the ice layer) off to the side.
[/quote]

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