Poll: Rude to snowblow early in the AM?

[NetWareHead]

Had a convo with a buddy who said he got into a heated argument early in the morning in his driveway with a neighbor. My buddy was snowblowing early in the morning so he could leave for work. Obviously running a machine like that is going to be audible to everybody. His neighbor came out in his pajamas and yelled at my friend for making noise.

Which now has me thinking. We are due for about a foot of snow tomorrow morning. I have a driveway that can fit 10 cars in it. I have a tenant upstairs so I have to clear the driveway for him. I'm not going to shovel the driveway by hand when a perfectly working snowblower is parked behind the house. I'm going on a ski trip tomorrrow morning and before I leave for the mountain, I need to clean off the driveway. I'll probably be up and snowblowing at 4 AM which is the only time I'll be able to do it.

I don't really want to make enemies where I live but I'm not going to bust my ass either shoveling by hand!

 

[Jimzz]

Check local law, many times they have hours for loud noises in residential areas. As long as those are not broken and there is no HOA then blow away.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I would call the cops on you in a heartbeat.

 

[Crusty]

That's against the city ordinances here.

No 2-stroke engines after 10PM or before 7AM.

 

[jaedaliu]

7 am to 9 pm are generally when you're supposed to be quiet. Different for every town.

But you gotta get to work.

If you feel bad about it, apologize to your neighbors tonight. It's getting done at 4AM, and you're sorry if it disturbs their sleep.

 

[SandEagle]

dick move bro

 

[nageov3t]

if you're doing it at 4 am because that just happens to be the only convenient time, it's a pretty dick move.

if a guy has to get out of the house because he needs to go to work at an odd hour or something, it's understandable if annoying.

 

[NetWareHead]

That's against the city ordinances here.

No 2-stroke engines after 10PM or before 7AM.

Snowblower is 4 stroke.

 

[NetWareHead]

if you're doing it at 4 am because that just happens to be the only convenient time, it's a pretty dick move.

if a guy has to get out of the house because he needs to go to work at an odd hour or something, it's understandable if annoying.

Well if I had to do it because I was going to work and not a ski trip, it would roughly be around the same time as well. In any scenario, I don't think my neighbors are going to know my reasons for snowblowing the driveway at that time.

 

[Crusty]

Snowblower is 4 stroke.

Does it a have a muffler? I think that's what the distinction is in the law.

 

[rudeguy]

are they (stupid neighbor) going to shovel your driveway so you don't have to run the blower?

No?

Ok then. Deal with it.

 

[feralkid]

Well if I had to do it because I was going to work and not a ski trip, it would roughly be around the same time as well. In any scenario, I don't think my neighbors are going to know my reasons for snowblowing the driveway at that time.

But you will; and it will make you feel like a dick.

If it doesn't, then...you really ARE a dick.


Look at it this way: These are your neighbors. You may have to live near them for a long time. Better make the situation the best it can be.

 

[Mixolydian]

I recently got an electric snowblower which is actually pretty quiet. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in the early am when I have to go to work.

Now, I certainly wouldn't use it in the early morning on a weekend, regardless of how loud it is.

 

[NetWareHead]

Does it a have a muffler? I think that's what the distinction is in the law.

Yes it has a muffler, but regardless it is still loud.

I guess my question really is, regardless of the law, would something like this bother you? I live in NH and snow is a reality here. Its not like mowing your lawn. You dont need to mow your lawn at 3 AM but if you can't get out of your house, well you need to snowblow whatever time that is. Plus with all of the snowplows and salt/sand spreaders going up and down the streets, there is alot of noise anyway.

 

[olds]

7 am to 9 pm are generally when you're supposed to be quiet. Different for every town.....

Ya, no.

 

[SandEagle]

are they (stupid neighbor) going to shovel your driveway so you don't have to run the blower?

No?

Ok then. Deal with it.

why can't OP just shovel enough to get out? this will minimize noise and disruption to neighbors who are trying to sleep.

 

[rudeguy]

why can't OP just shovel enough to get out? this will minimize noise and disruption to neighbors who are trying to sleep.

its for his tenants. Section 8 already gave him 3 warnings about it.

 

[Keeper]

Poll fail. Early is too vague. And this is situational.
If you got to be at work by 6 AM. Or you got a road trip scheduled and you ARE going (Read not canceling) Shit yeah. Snow Blow Away.

My neighbors used to bitch during Sandy when I was running my generator.
I killed it every night before 11:00 PMUsually by 10.
And it was started pre 6 AM.
I figured out how to wire up my boiler/hot water heater. So hot showers for me and my family.

 

[NetWareHead]

why can't OP just shovel enough to get out? this will minimize noise and disruption to neighbors who are trying to sleep.

My driveway has the sq footage of a small parking lot. I can fit at least 10 cars there.

 

[Markbnj]

I think your friend's neighbor is a dick. If he was running his weedwhacker at 4 AM I'd be pissed, but a snowblower? The guy has got to get to work. My wife's a nurse, and she leaves at 4:30. If she has to go in and I have to run the blower early to clear the drive so she can, if my neighbors don't like it they can suck it.

 

[jaedaliu]

why can't OP just shovel enough to get out? this will minimize noise and disruption to neighbors who are trying to sleep.

because it's 80 feet (10 cars) of snow to remove. He bought a snow blower to use, not so that has to use his shovel and back.

OP is in NH. I'm sure he's allowed to run the blower.

And if the neighbors complain, they can shovel your driveway for you.

 

[SandEagle]

its for his tenants. Section 8 already gave him 3 warnings about it.

oh Section 8? then go right ahead! wouldn't want them being late for work!

 

[torpid]

7am, maybe 6am = not rude. Before that, and I wouldn't even call it "early morning" so much as "really late at night" and I would consider it inappropriate. In many cities it would violate noise ordinances.

 

[waggy]

yes it's a dick move.

but shit you gotta do it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Rude, no. Inconsiderate, yes.