How to Salt Melt an Iced Driveway

Preventing Ice Buildup

• 1

  Pay attention to weather forecasts and try to spread rock salt on your driveway before rain, sleet or ice is expected. Salt applied ahead of time will help prevent precipitation from forming into solid ice.

• 2

  Use a plastic container or your gloved hands to spread an even amount of rock salt on your driveway. The driveway doesn't need to be completely covered in salt, but you should use enough so that once it melts, the liquid will cover your whole driveway.

• 3

  Focus your efforts on the highest part of the driveway. Precipitation will cause the salt to melt, and the resulting salt and water mix will run downhill, helping to keep the entire driveway free of ice.

Removing Ice

• 4

  Spread rock salt as soon as possible after sleet or freezing rain to keep it from solidifying. Rock salt lowers the freezing point of water, preventing it from forming solid ice.

• 5

  Use a snow shovel to remove the snow and slush as soon as you are done spreading salt on the driveway. If solid ice has already formed, wait 15 or 20 minutes after spreading salt before you try to remove the ice. The salt will soften the ice, making it easier to break up and remove it.

• 6

  Spread a light layer of salt again after you are done to prevent more ice from forming.