The first real snow always seems to show up on a weeknight, right before the morning commute. A little preparation in October makes that first storm, and the whole Minnesota winter, a lot easier.
This guide covers getting your home ready for snow, using salt the smart way, and keeping ice dams off your roof.
Before the first snow
- Mark your driveway edges. Stakes or reflectors along the edges show where the pavement ends once it is buried. They protect your lawn, curbs, and sprinkler heads from plows and snow blowers.
- Clear the path. Put away hoses, decorations, and anything else that could hide under the first snowfall.
- Clean the gutters. Full gutters are one of the main ingredients of ice dams.
- Check your equipment. Start the snow blower, find the shovels, and stock up on ice melt before the first storm empties the shelves.
- Line up help early. Snow services fill up fast, and the best ones are often booked before the first flakes fall.
What to look for in a snow service
If you are hiring someone to clear your driveway this winter, ask:
- What is the trigger? Season contracts usually plow when snow reaches a set depth, like 2 inches, so you never have to call.
- Are walks and steps included? Some services only plow the driveway.
- What about salt and ice melt? Is it included or extra, and how much do they use?
- How do they handle damage? Ask how they protect your lawn edges and what happens if something gets hit.
- When do they come? Ask how soon after a storm you can expect them.
A season contract gives you one price for the winter and a spot on the route, which matters when everyone needs help on the same morning.
Use salt the smart way
Salt works, but more is not better. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s smart salting guidance comes down to four habits.
- Shovel first. The more snow and ice you remove, the less salt you need.
- Use less than you think. About 12 ounces, enough to fill a coffee mug, treats a 20-foot driveway or about 10 sidewalk squares.
- Watch the temperature. Below about 15 degrees, salt is too cold to work. Use sand for traction instead.
- Sweep up the extra. Leftover salt is wasted, and it ends up in our lakes and streams for good.
Salt also damages lawns along walks and driveways and is hard on concrete and pets’ paws, so a light hand pays off in several ways.
Ice dams, and how to stop them
An ice dam is a ridge of ice along the edge of a roof. It forms when warm air from inside the house heats the attic and melts snow on the roof. The water runs down to the colder edge, refreezes, and builds a dam. Water then backs up behind it and can work its way under the shingles and into ceilings and walls.
The long-term fix is inside the attic. The Center for Energy and Environment says air sealing and insulating between the house and the attic is the best way to prevent ice dams, and it lowers your heating bills too. Many projects run $1,000 to $4,500. If you are a CenterPoint Energy or Xcel Energy customer, a Home Energy Squad visit can show where your home is losing heat.
In the meantime, a few things help.
- Clean gutters in fall so meltwater has somewhere to go
- Use a roof rake from the ground to pull snow off the first few feet of the roof after a big storm, carefully, since raking can damage shingles
- Don’t climb onto a snowy roof to chip at ice. It is dangerous, and chipping damages shingles.
- Skip heat cables. Energy experts say they are hard on roofs and expensive to run.
If an ice dam has already formed, steam is a much gentler way to remove it than chipping. Steam melts channels through the ice without the damage that comes from chopping or hammering. Call a pro if water is coming inside.
How we help with snow and ice
Eminence Services offers season snow contracts that plow driveways at 2 inches or more, so you never have to call. Our service also covers walks and steps, salt and ice melt, ice dam steaming, and roof snow removal, all by our own trained crews. For businesses, we clear parking lots and sidewalks and handle salting.
Our snow service starts in November 2027, and we are booking now for the 2027 to 2028 winter. Snow plowing is part of every membership plan, all winter long. If you manage a business property, see our guide for property managers and HOA boards.
See our snow removal service, or request a free quote.
Snow and ice questions
When should I sign up for snow removal?
Early. Many services fill their routes in fall, before the first snow. Our snow service starts in November 2027, and signing up now holds your spot for that winter.
How much salt should I use on my driveway?
About a coffee mug, roughly 12 ounces, for a 20-foot driveway, according to the MPCA. Shovel first, and use sand below about 15 degrees.
How do you remove an ice dam?
With steam. It melts through the ice and is much gentler on shingles than chipping. The long-term fix is air sealing and insulating the attic.
Do you plow for businesses?
Yes. Commercial plans include plowing, sidewalk clearing, and salting with a set trigger.
