How to De-ice a Driveway That Was Not Plowed

When layers of snow and ice accumulate on your driveway, the result is a thick, encrusted surface that a snow shovel cannot penetrate. An icy driveway is a danger to both auto and foot traffic, so you have the responsibility of clearing the ice. Use a fast-acting ice melt to break up the solid mass, then shovel the slush off the driveway.

Snow shovel
Calcium chloride ice melt
Seed spreader

Instructions

- 1
  Shovel any snow or loose bits of ice. Expose the surface of the ice sheet so the ice melt can make contact.
- 2
  Load the ice melt into a seed spreader. Start at the top of the driveway, and walk across the top section, pushing the seed spreader ahead of you. Turn and walk back across, slightly overlapping your first row. Make your way down to the end of the driveway. Allow the ice melt to sit undisturbed for 20 to 30 minutes.
- 3
  Work the edge of the snow shovel into one of the crevices created by the ice melt. Use leverage to pry up a piece of ice. Scoop up slush and ice pieces, and toss them away. Work your way down the driveway, breaking up the ice as you go.
- 4
  Repeat application of the ice melt if you were able to shovel only part of the ice mass. Begin shoveling again after 20 to 30 minutes.
- 5
  Sprinkle ice melt on any areas that are still built up with ice. Check back periodically to work on stubborn ice patches with your snow shovel.

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