How to Clear Ice Off a Driveway

Shovel all snow off the ice, piling it where it won't melt and return to the driveway.

Chip the ice with an ice chipper if the ice is thick enough to crack. Use short, vertical motions and avoid using excessive force, which could damage certain driveway materials or strain muscles.

Shovel off any broken, movable pieces of ice. If it won't harm the driveway material, consider using a metal-edged snow shovel or flat-headed shovel to scrape ice.

Apply a de-icing compound to the driveway. Sprinkle a thin layer of de-icer first, concentrating on areas with the thickest ice or on making an ice-free path where walking traffic is heaviest. When choose a de-icing compound, consider cost, type of driveway material, environmental effects and temperature. For example, although sodium chloride in the form of rock salt is widely available and inexpensive, it can damage new concrete and harm nearby vegetation. Compounds like salt-free calcium magnesium acetate are more expensive but less damaging.

Check on the driveway several hours after the initial de-icer application. Shovel and remove any loosened ice and apply additional de-icer wherever needed.

Pretreat the dirveway before freezing rain and snow events to limit the formation of an ice layer bonded to the driveway. Dissolve de-icing compoud in warm water and spray the solution on the driveway surface one to two hours before precipitation begins.