How to Keep an Old Brick Driveway From Freezing

Preventing snow and sleet from freezing on a brick driveway makes it easier to maintain a safe surface for people and vehicles. This process is similar to melting existing ice, only it must be done within two hours of a forecasted snowstorm. Choose a natural, non-corrosive de-icing agent to prevent permanent damage to the bricks. Unlike concrete and asphalt that can be patched and resurfaced, repairing damages on a brick driveway leaves noticeable flaws.

Plastic tarp
Urea
Pump sprayer
Seed spreader or cup
Alfalfa meal
Stiff work broom

Instructions

- 1
  Cover any growth on the sides of the driveway with a plastic tarp to protect it from the de-icing solution. Weigh it down with a rock over each corner.
- 2
  Pour urea into a gardening pump sprayer. As a natural liquid fertilizer, urea is safe for pets and less corrosive to pavement than a rock salt solution.Like salt, it lowers the freezing temperature to 15 degrees F.
- 3
  Spray a mist coat over the entire driveway. Typically, 1 gallon of de-icing solution will cover 1 thousand square feet.
- 4
  Fill a seed spreader or large cup with alfalfa meal and spread it over the brick surface. Alfalfa meal is a natural fertilizer that contains less nitrogen than other fertilizers so it’s less corrosive. Its dry, grainy texture will offer traction while helping the urea melt sleet and snow before it can freeze.
- 5
  Use a stiff work broom to push snow melt toward the street. Eliminating water from the brick surface helps prevent water from seeping through the joints, which can lead to frost heave damage.

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