Use one or more of these methods to make your driveway safe and slip-free
Whether you live in an area that gets pummeled with snow each winter or not, knowing how to remove snow from your driveway without a shovel is key. The good news is that even if you don’t own a shovel (or you have one but would rather not use it), there are plenty of other effective ways to remove snow from your driveway. From salt to melting mats, the following tips offer ways to get rid of the fluffy, wet stuff before it prevents you from leaving your house.
There’s a reason cities employ salt trucks to lay down layers of the stuff when winter weather looms. Rock salt works by lowering the snow’s freezing point so that it starts to melt on contact. You’ll need about 12 ounces of salt for a 20-foot driveway, so make sure you have plenty on hand before snow is expected.
If temperatures are on the rise or snow is currently falling, use a water hose to spray the snow as it falls to keep it from accumulating on your driveway. Top the ground with sand for extra traction and to prevent any ice from sticking. If you don’t have a hose, fill a bucket or a watering can with hot water, dish soap, and ½ cup of rubbing alcohol and pour the mixture over your driveway. This helps melt the ice and treat any underlying layers of ice.
Most home improvement stores sell de-icing products that cure ice buildup, so long as they’re used on areas that have less than an inch of snow. Just be sure to read the ingredient list to make sure the de-icer doesn’t include calcium chloride, which can eat up concrete and be harmful to pets or plants.
Now’s the time to get some use out of that snow blower that’s been collecting dust in your garage. Come winter, you can use your gas or electric-powered snow blower to collect snow from your driveway and redirect it to a safer place. As long as you have the time to push it on the route of your choosing, this is a tried and true way to remove snow.
If you have some extra cash on hand, you can pay to have someone else shovel your driveway. If the snow is particularly heavy or too much work for one or two people, your local snow removal company can remove the snow on your driveway.
In some areas, the city’s utilities or maintenance department may be able to help you remove snow or provide materials in extreme circumstances.
You may not have a shovel, but chances are you have a broom you can use to sweep away the snow. Just know that if the snow that falls is of the heavier, wetter variety, you may have a harder time than if the snow is light and fluffy.
Best used with dry, fluffy snow, put your leaf blower on its strongest setting and blow the excess snow off of your driveway. This method will typically work with snow accumulation of less than 3 inches—any more and it may be too heavy for the leaf blower to remove.
Some wheelbarrows come with snow plow attachments so all you have to do is attach a plow, lift the wheelbarrow, and push it to scoop up the snow.
Although it’s meant to be used for a roof, a roof rake can also pull snow off of a sloped driveway. If you don’t have a roof rake, you can use a regular yard rake to loosen up packed snow and sweep away excess snow.
Extra tarps can come in handy if a wintery mix is on the horizon and you don’t have other tools to remove snow from your driveway. Before the snow starts to fall, lay the tarps on your driveway, especially in the path of where a car would travel. The snow will pile up on top of the tarps and not the ground. Then, once the snow is done falling, all you have to do is drag the tarps off your driveway.
Outdoor outlets are key to using melting mats, since they need to be plugged in to work. Simply lay the mats down on your driveway and plug them in to melt the snow as it falls. The mats also come in no-slip varieties for added safety measures. Once they’re in place, they can stay there throughout the winter as a cheaper alternative to a heated driveway system.
If you’re replacing your driveway or are about to pour a new one, consider having a heated driveway system installed. These systems are either electric or hydronic and are put in place beneath your driveway, similar to how heated tile works in a bathroom. Once installed, the system automatically heats your driveway to prevent snow from sticking.
DIY skills can come in handy to create shoe shovels. All you need is an old pair of sneakers, hot glue, PVC pipe, sandpaper, a drill, a hacksaw, and a Dremel or rotary tool. Here’s how it’s done:
Use your hacksaw to cut your PVC pipe down to 6 inches.
Cut the pipe in half with a band saw.
Sand the edge of each piece of pipe.
Fit each piece outside the toe of each shoe, then use your drill to cut an oval shape into the center of each piece to fit on the toe.
Push the pipe on your shoe and use your glue gun to secure each piece.
Let dry completely before putting to use.
You can quickly melt snow on your driveway by adding rock salt, hot water, de-icer, and other melting products. These snow removal methods will quickly melt any snow on slippery ice from your driveway, making it safer to maneuver. For a more permanent solution, consider using melting mats or installing a heated driveway system.
The fastest way to remove snow is by using a high-powered snow blower to clear your driveway in a few minutes, depending on its size and length. Other snow removal methods that get fast results are a wheelbarrow plow and a snow thrower. If you need immediate help with removing snow, consider hiring a snow removal service to take care of it for you.
The best way to remove snow from driveways is to use a two- or three-stage snow blower, which has the power to clear snow in a matter of minutes. Don’t forget to consider helpful options, such as a snow thrower, wheelbarrow plow, leaf blower, and hiring a professional snow removal company to clear off your driveway.
