Uses for a Snow Shovel

Shovel Water

• A snow shovel with a scoop blade can be used to scoop up water on a flooded garage floor or basement. The scoop can then be used to dump the water into a bucket. Turn the shovel blade upside-down, and use it to pull the water across the floor surface.

Paddling

• If a snow shovel is the only thing you have aboard a drifting boat, use it to paddle your way to land. Place the shovel in the water, and pull the scoop side through the water for propulsion. A plastic shovel blade would work best for this.

Scraping Windshields

• Only use plastic snow shovels to scrape the snow off of the windshield and windows of your vehicle. Use it to scrape deep snows off the vehicle too. Don't use it once the snow gets close to the body of the car or you'll risk scratching the paint.

Breaking Icicles

• Use a long-handled snow shovel to reach those icicles that may cause damage to the eaves of your home. Never stand directly below the icicles while you're breaking them. Take the shovel inside the house, open a window and hit the icicles with the shovel from the inside out.

Shoveling Grains and Powders

• Scoop up dry commodities like grains and powders. Slide the blade along the floor surface, and scoop up the material. Dump it into buckets or barrels. These shovels are handy on farms when used in commodity sheds. Keep the commodities scooped up to minimize loss to moisture and rodents.

Mechanics Tray

• Slide the blade of the shovel beneath an automobile while doing a repair job. Keep all of the bolts, nuts, washers and parts on the shovel blade. Place your tools on the shovel blade to keep track of where they are. When finished, climb out from under the car, grab the shovel handle and pull out the tools and parts.

Shoveling Snow and Slush

• Shovel the snow off the sidewalks, driveways, decks, patios, outdoor furniture, lawn and anywhere else you don't want snow. Keep the porch free of drifting snow as well.

Moving Dirt

• Use a smaller shovel to fill the snow shovel scoop with dirt, and grab the handle of the snow shovel and drag the dirt to another location. Allowing the scoop to stay on the ground while you drag it will reduce the amount of effort you expend.