How to De-Ice a Driveway Easily

Snow and ice can quickly build up on your driveway. Even after removing the snow, slippery ice can remain on the driveway, including hard to see black ice. This can reduce traction and cause a safety hazard outside your home or building. You can de-ice your driveway right after a snowfall without any special tools or training.

Snow shovel or snow blower
Seed spreader (optional)
Rock salt
Sand

Instructions

- 1
  Take the shovel or snow blower and clear away the snow and slush top layer on the driveway as soon after the snowfall stops. Be careful of the ice underneath because it will be slippery.
- 2
  Fill the seed spreader with rock salt. If the temperature is below minus 9 degrees Celsius or 15.8 degrees Fahrenheit, fill the spreader with sand instead. Rock salt cannot effectively melt ice below these temperatures.
- 3
  Move back and forth across your driveway carefully beginning at the top and moving toward the bottom. Slowly push the seed spreader over the ice to distribute the sand or salt. If you don't have a spreader, you can use your gloved hands to disperse the salt/sand or fill your shovel with it and spread it along the driveway.
- 4
  Wait for the ice to begin to melt and then take the snow blower or shovel and clear away the now slushy snow/ice mixture
- 5
  Apply an additional amount of salt or sand if desired to ensure traction on the driveway because some water may remain and refreeze.

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