How do I keep ice from forming on my driveway?

Keep water off the pavement, and keep ice from bonding to it

Ice on a driveway comes from water, so most prevention is about two things: removing snow before it melts and refreezes, and sending meltwater somewhere other than across the pavement. A pre-storm treatment and a little salt in the right places do the rest.

Before the storm

Pre-treat dry pavement. VDOT defines pre-treatment as chemicals applied to dry pavement up to 48 hours before a winter storm, which helps prevent a bond from forming between the pavement and the snow and ice after the storm starts.^[1] Richmond says its crews pre-treat with a salt brine that sticks to the road best, and that it works less well when rain washes the brine away or temperatures are below 20 degrees.^[2] The same limits apply at home. A thin pass of salt or brine on dry pavement the day before is enough.

Check where water goes. Look at downspouts, gutters and any slope that drains onto the driveway. Water that runs across the surface after a thaw is what turns into the sheet of ice you find the next morning.

During and after the storm

Shovel early and often. University of Minnesota Extension says properly maintaining walks and driveways is the best way to avoid needing deicing salts, and that you should shovel, scrape and sweep snow often to remove as much as possible.^[3] Packed snow is what becomes ice, so take it down to the surface.

Do not put deicer on snow. Remove the snow first.^[3] Salt on top of snow makes slush that refreezes.

Use as little salt as works. A coffee mug of salt (about 12 oz.) is all that is needed for about 1,000 sq. ft.^[3] Spread it evenly, with about 3 inches between grains. Salt and chemicals can speed up melting when temperatures are above 20 degrees,^[2] so below that, switch to traction.

Use sand for traction. Sand does not melt ice, but it gives footing and tires something to grip.^[3] It can block drains, so sweep it up in spring.

Let the sun work on warm days. On warm days, let any remaining snow on surfaces simply melt,^[3] then sweep the water away rather than leaving it to refreeze at dusk.

Watch for black ice and refreeze

Wet pavement is dangerous after dark. Black ice is patchy ice on surfaces that cannot easily be seen, and it is most prevalent in the early morning, especially after snow melt has a chance to refreeze overnight when the temperature drops below freezing.^[4] If it has melted all day and the forecast is below freezing, sweep or squeegee standing water off the driveway in late afternoon, and put down a light pass of salt or sand at the shady, low spots.

Protect the concrete and the lawn

Salt that works too well also causes damage. On new concrete, avoid deicers for about a year,^[5] and read why concrete flakes after salting if you have already seen scaling. Runoff from deicing chemicals results in groundwater pollution,^[3] so sweep up grains you can see on dry surfaces and keep piles off the lawn.

Stop and call a pro if

• Ice returns in the same spot every time. That points to a drainage or grading problem, not a product problem. A paving or drainage contractor can look at it.
• You cannot shovel safely. Heavy snow, a long driveway, or a heart condition or bad back are good reasons to hire the work out. See what driveway salting costs and whether paying someone to salt is worth it.
• The pavement is cracked, heaved or flaking, which holds water and ices up.

Getting help in Virginia

Browse salting and de-icing services, more snow and seasonal answers and snow and seasonal services. For which product to buy, read what ice melt is safe for concrete. When you want it done for you, describe the job once and local businesses quote it.