How to Melt Ice on A Driveway Without Damaging It

As we write this, we are at that time of year when colder weather becomes the norm. Whilst snowy scenes and festive feelings may give things a mystical and magical element, the same cannot be said for our driveways. Once ice starts to form, your drive can become somewhat of a safety risk. Furthermore, underneath that ice, your driveway could be slowly worn away.

We’ve looked at some common solutions for melting ice on a driveway, and suggested which types of driveways you can use them on.

How to melt ice on a concrete driveway

Concrete driveways are a popular option among UK households. Easy to install, affordable and long-lasting, they provide a great driveway surface. However, concrete is vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage. Therefore, you need a fast-acting and safe solution to remove the ice from the driveway.

Ice melt granules

Ice melt granules are a great way to melt ice on a concrete driveway. Just choose those with Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA). This is a non-corrosive, eco-friendly product that’s also pet-safe. It won’t chemically attack your concrete, so you can remain confident that your driveway remains intact, and it’ll be effective in extreme temperatures. You could also consider Magnesium Chloride for similar results. If using CMA, apply it before frost forms to prevent bonding, and remove any snow with a plastic shovel.

Sand or fine grit

Neither of these products will completely remove the ice on a concrete drive, but they will provide added traction, making the driveway much safer.

What not to use to remove ice on a concrete driveway

There are a few products worth avoiding if your concrete driveway is coated in ice. Using these could lead to costly repairs or an unsightly driveway.

Rock salt

Many people suggest rock salt to melt ice on a driveway, but in the case of concrete, it is best avoided. Rock salt may crack the surface, causing cosmetic and structural damage.

Boiling water

This may sound like common sense, but we have seen other articles suggesting boiling water. For us, this is too big a risk. Applying boiling water to an ice-cold surface can lead to thermal shock, which can cause the concrete to crack. This not only makes your driveway less stable and more unattractive but also makes it expensive to repair.

How to melt ice on tarmac driveways

Tarmac driveways, like their concrete counterparts, are a popular option. Low-maintenance, easy to install and versatile, they are adopted by commercial and residential properties. Compared to concrete, tarmac is less prone to salt damage, but you should remain wary of how much tarmac can soften or deform before applying anything to it.

Magnesium Chloride or CMA

Just like with tarmac driveways, these two options provide a great way to break down the ice and make your driveway much easier to navigate. As with concrete, look to remove any snow first with a plastic shovel. Failing to do so and just applying the CMA or Magnesium Chloride will not have the desired effect.

Rock salt

We mentioned rock salt as an option to avoid when removing ice from concrete driveways, but with tarmac, it isn’t quite as potent. It’s a cheap and easy option, but you should remain wary of the harm it could cause to plant life and pets.

Sand or grit

Sand or grit can help melt the ice on a tarmac surface and also provide you with a little added traction. You’ll need to keep an eye on the potential mess it leaves behind, and the fact that you could be carrying a lot of it with you on the soles of your shoes. That means a lot of it could end up in the house!

What not to use to remove ice on a tarmac driveway

The options listed earlier are easy and effective ways to remove ice from a tarmac driveway. Readily available, they provide a great solution. However, we still see many people choose other options. Avoid using the following on your tarmac driveway if you need to melt any ice.

Hot water

Hot water is a big no-no with tarmac driveways when you need to remove ice from them. With a sudden increase in temperature, you could find that the surface softens or pitted. This could lead to water pooling and then freezing, or cracks appearing in the tarmac, which could cause problems underneath the surface.

Calcium chloride

Whilst not as common as rock salt, CMA or sand, Calcium Chloride is often chosen by homeowners to melt ice. On a tarmac surface, this isn’t ideal. As the pellets dissolve, they create small amounts of heat, which could lead to the surface warping or pitting.

How to melt ice on a block paving driveway

Block paving is one of our favourite driveway types. It gives a touch of character to a home and can be laid in a host of patterns or styles that make it unique. Once covered in ice, though, they aren’t as attractive, so you’ll need to melt it. To melt ice on block paving, you should consider

CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate)

CMA is perhaps one of the best choices for melting ice on many driveways, and it provides the same benefits for those with block paving. Gentle on the pavers and the jointing sand, it simply does its job without causing issues. You could also consider Magnesium Chloride for similar results.

Sharp sand or grit

Sand may not melt the ice completely, but as with other driveway types, it will help with traction while also melting some of the ice. You’ll also be able to brush it into the joints after the ice has thawed to give the surface additional stability.

What shouldn’t you use to melt ice on a block paving driveway?

Block paving driveways can look stunning, so you’ll want to maintain as much of their cosmetic appeal as possible. Therefore, avoid using the following items to melt the ice.

Rock salt

Rock salt is not ideal for block paving. It may draw moisture into the joints, which could then cause you problems both now and in the future. Furthermore, traces of it can discolour the surface, leaving your driveway looking somewhat different to what it did before.

Boiling water

Even though boiling water can act fast to melt ice, it can also freeze quite fast. You could, essentially, be shifting the problem from one area to another. Pour the water into one place, the ice melts, but the water then flows to the other end of the drive, where it freezes again! You might even end up with traces of black ice, which prove especially dangerous as they are often unsighted.

Our tips should help you keep your driveway ice-free this winter. If, though, you’ve encountered problems with your driveway in the past, speak to our team. Tidey & Webb is the specialist surfacing company for Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire. With experience in residential and commercial surfacing spanning more than forty years, our team are on hand to provide high-quality driveways and surfacing solutions. Give us a call today to find out more, or get a quote so we can start transforming your surface.