Tips for Keeping Your Driveway Free From Snow and Ice

In these winter months everyone is looking for ways to keep their driveway snow and ice free. All you will need is a snow shovel, pick, and Ice Melt. If you know a snow or ice storm is coming, sprinkle Ice Melt on your driveway. This will help keep snow or ice from sticking to the concrete or asphalt. Once the storm hits, clear the snow or ice before you drive on it. This is especially true with snow. You'll avoid packing down tire tracks on your driveway, which causes ice to build up.

Snow
Be sure to clear as much snow off your driveway as possible. Don't leave clumps of snow around and never just shovel a path so you can walk or drive out. Clear your entire driveway. Otherwise, any leftover or uncleared snow will melt and refreeze to form ice. Once your driveway is clear of snow, sprinkle more Ice Melt. As the temperature warms, the ice melt will help evaporate any remaining snow or ice tracks caused by driving over the snow.

Ice
As soon as the ice storm is over, spread Ice Melt over the ice. If it is particularly thick, you may need to spread ice melt several times. Allow the Ice Melt to melt as much ice as possible, and then begin using a shovel and pick to alternately scrape away ice and break it up into manageable chunks. You may have to use your pick to break up especially thick pieces of ice. For stubborn areas of ice, you can use a handheld propane blowtorch to melt the ice. Of course, use caution when using a blowtorch.

Heated driveways
Finally, you might consider installing a radiant heated driveway. These work with either electricity or hot water to keep your driveway free of snow and ice. Electric systems use heat cable, while water systems generate hot water that pumps through plastic tubing. Both systems use are embedded under the surface of the driveway.