How to Keep Freezing Rain From Icing Up in the Driveway

Freezing rain and other types of wintry weather can lead to the accumulation of ice on driveways, sidewalks and other walkways, creating dangerous, slippery conditions. A layer of ice on the driveway that forms because of a freezing rain generally warrants prompt treatment using some combination of manual removal and chemical application. Alternatively, the driveway can be pretreated with an anti-icing solution before the rain begins to limit the presence of driveway ice.

Snow shovel
Deicing compound
Hot water

Instructions

- 1
  Clear any existing snow or ice off of the driveway. Use a snow shovel or push broom to remove snow and consider applying a chemical deicer to any remaining patches of ice or packed snow.
- 2
  Make a liquid anti-icer. Mix a crystal deicing compound into hot water until the solution cannot hold any more and any additional deicer added remains a solid.
- 3
  Apply this solution to the driveway by spraying or pouring one to two hours before freezing rain is expected. This will keep the ice from bonding to the driveway.
- 4
  Remove the unattached ice from the driveway once the freezing rain has stopped. If there was only a small amount of freezing rain, there may be no solid accumulation and ice removal will not be necessary. Otherwise, the ice should be easily removed, leaving a damp bare surface following shoveling rather than a layer of ice.

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