The Best Way to Chip Ice Off a Driveway Outdoors

While driving the tip of a snow shovel down forcefully onto the ice on your driveway might break it up, it's bad for your shoulders and back. It can also damage the concrete and cause cracks and chips. Instead, use ice melt and a more effective shoveling method to get the ice off your driveway. Try to get outside as soon as it stops snowing to prevent ice buildup, which makes it even harder to clear the driveway.

Snow shovel
Ice melt pellets
Seed spreader, optional

Instructions

- 1
  Start shoveling snow from the driveway as soon as the storm stops. Begin at the top of the driveway and work your way down. Getting the top layer of snow off exposes the ice.
- 2
  Fill a seed spreader with commercial ice melt pellets. Walk carefully across the top of the driveway, pushing the spreader. Cross the driveway, back and forth, spreading ice melt until you reach the end of the driveway. Allow the ice melt to sit for about 15 minutes.
- 3
  Use the edge of the snow shovel to gently lift up pieces of ice from the driveway. Use controlled force to lift ice up rather than to drive the shovel down into the ice. It's more effective to pry the ice up rather than crush it.
- 4
  Scoop up ice pieces and slush, then toss them aside. Work your way down the driveway until all the ice is cleared.
- 5
  Sprinkle more ice melt onto any patches of ice that you couldn't shovel. After about 15 minutes, tackle the stubborn areas again.

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