Winter can be a difficult time for homeowners, especially when it comes to keeping driveways and walkways clear of ice and snow. One of the most effective ways to prevent your driveway from freezing over is by using road rock salt, also known as deicing salt.t.
Road Rock Salt
Road rock salt is a type of salt that is specifically designed to melt ice and snow on roads, driveways, and sidewalks. It works by lowering the freezing point of water, which means that even at very low temperatures, the salt will melt the ice and snow on contact. This makes it an ideal product to use during the winter months to keep your driveway clear and safe to walk on.
One of the most important things to consider when using road rock salt on your driveway is to use it in the correct amount. Overusing salt can damage the surface of your driveway and also harm the surrounding environment. It is recommended to use about 3 pounds of salt per square meter of the driveway. Remember to apply the rock salt when the temperature is above -9.4°c anything lower than this and rock salt might not be that useful.
In addition to using road rock salt and grit, there are also a few other things you can do to help prevent your driveway from freezing over during the winter months.
We offer a range of Winter Essentials Here
Clear your Driveway
Firstly, it's important to keep the surface of your driveway as clean as possible. This means removing any debris or leaves that may have accumulated during the fall. This will make it easier for the salt and grit to adhere to the surface and be more effective in preventing ice from forming. A perfect tool for this would be a pressure washer or a leave blower depending on how wet your driveway is. You can check out our video on how to pressure-wash a driveway here
How to Stop Sheet Ice From Forming
Secondly, make sure that your driveway is properly graded and sloped. This will help to prevent water from pooling on the surface and freezing over. it also helps to have a grate that gives the water a path to flow down to stop further flooding of your driveway.
And finally, it's a good idea to invest in a snow shovel and ice scraper to help you clear your driveway quickly and easily. If you are experiencing heavy snow you will find that it can easily settle on gritted driveways, so make sure you have a good-quality snow shovel to prepare for it.
In conclusion, to keep your driveway from freezing over during the winter, it's important to use products such as road rock salt and grit. These products will help to melt ice and snow on contact and provide extra traction on the surface. Additionally, it's important to keep the surface of your driveway clean, properly graded and sloped, and to invest in a snow shovel and ice scraper to help you clear it quickly and easily.