How to Get Ice Off of a Driveway

Remove as much snow as possible from the driveway. The less snow there is, the faster any deicing compound, sunlight and circulating air can work to remove ice. Be sure to pile the snow where it will not melt back onto the driveway.

Chip the ice into small, manageable pieces using an ice chipper. For this to work effectively, the ice must have obtained enough thickness that it will crack easily when struck and the driveway surface will not be damaged. Drive the ice chipper directly downward and avoid using excessive force.

Remove as much of the dislodged ice as possible using a snow shovel. If any ice pieces are too large to shovel comfortably, chip them into smaller portions.

Apply a deicing compound by evenly sprinkling it across the icy surface. Several types of deicers that can be used for this. Options range from the traditional and inexpensive sodium chloride, which can harm the environment, to urea or the more expensive but less damaging calcium magnesium acetate. The deicer can also be mixed with an abrasive such as sand or kitty litter to provide additional traction and reduce the rate of deicer application.

Pre-treat the driveway before anticipated snow or freezing rain events. Dissolve a deicing compound in warm water and spray this solution on the driveway surface one to two hours before snow begins to fall.