How to Clear an Ice-Covered Driveway

Many driveways have ice problems in late winter. While daytime temperatures rise above freezing, melting the snow near the driveway, nighttime temperatures fall back below freezing and turn the melted snow on the driveway into ice. This wouldn't be such a problem if the next day's temperatures were guaranteed to rise above freezing again, but it could be days before the next thaw. Clear an ice-covered driveway with "sidewalk salt" to prevent slips and falls.

Magnesium chloride
Bucket
Sidewalk scraper
Snow shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Scoop up some magnesium chloride, known as sidewalk salt, in a small bucket and sprinkle it over your driveway's icy areas. Wait two to three hours for the salt to begin melting and weakening the ice. If the outside temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, the magnesium chloride may work slowly or not at all. In this case, wait for the temperature to warm up before attempting to remove the ice.
- 2
  Hold a sidewalk scraper at a 90-degree angle to the driveway. Strike the ice to break it apart; just don't chip the driveway. Scoop up the ice chunks with a snow shovel and deposit them on the driveway's low side so they don't simply re-melt and flow back onto your driveway.
- 3
  Hold the scraper blade at a 45-degree angle to the driveway. Force the blade underneath stuck-on pieces of ice. For especially stubborn areas, pull the blade back and drive it forward a few times to loosen the area. Scoop up the ice with a snow shovel and deposit it on the driveway's low side.
- 4
  Sprinkle more sidewalk salt on any ice you were unable to remove with the sidewalk scraper. Return with the scraper a few hours later to remove the ice or allow the salt to fully melt the area.

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