How To Deal With A Steep Driveway During Winter

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Snow removal is a major problem for property owners in our snow-prone region. After a storm, snow and ice on your driveway can make driving quite unsafe, and you may need to get it removed. 

Many folks park towards the bottom of their driveway during the winter instead of hauling up. It reduces the chances of your automobile sliding down the driveway and ramming into someone’s mailbox or, worse, a pedestrian. The disadvantage of this strategy is that you could easily slip and fall on the snow and ice as you walk down to your car every day. In the winter, leaving your automobile on the street can cause complications. Here are some methods to deal with a steep driveway during winter.

The Safety of Your Concrete

The wear and tear on your concrete driveway from harsh ice melts can lead to expensive repair work in the future. Thus, the quest for ice melt for driveways that is not harmful to concrete becomes essential. A solution like ‘Safe Paw’ stands out in this scenario, as it’s not only effective at eliminating ice, but it’s also a chemical-free solution that doesn’t harm your concrete.

What Type of Snow Melt is Safe for Concrete?

The safety of your concrete driveway is paramount. Most traditional ice melts contain chemicals that, while effective at melting ice, can damage the concrete and harm the environment. A blend of elements, such as sodium chloride (rock salt), calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride, usually makes up conventional ice melts. Though these substances can erode concrete and affect its durability over time.

Safe Ice Melt for Both Concrete Driveways And Environment

Although calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are considered less damaging to concrete than sodium chloride, they still pose some environmental concerns. Therefore, the ideal solution is a product that is not only safe for concrete but also kind to the environment.

Ice Melts For Concrete Driveways

Ice melts are readily available at local hardware stores and are most effective when applied before heavy snowfall or storms. While de-icers are a popular choice due to their accessibility and inexpensive cost, they can hurt your property. For example, due to freeze-thaw cycles that promote cracking, rock salt can wreak havoc on a driveway surface. Hence, you need to avoid salt-based and get an ice melt concrete safe and environmentally friendly. You can look for green options like Safe Paw ice melt. You can also go through Safe Paw ice melt reviews to know more about this environmentally friendly and non-corrosive ice melt.

Gravel Driveway

Consider a gravel driveway instead of a paved driveway if you have a high inclination. Gravel can be used to add traction to your steep driveway. However, because the gravel will erode or roll to the bottom of the hill over time, you’ll need to replenish it. If the major worry is slick conditions rather than visibility or car damage, this option is ideal.

Using Resin

Install pipes first to move water away and prevent erosion if your driveway has drainage concerns. Fill in the area with crushed sand and gravel, then cover it with a layer of decomposed granite. Finally, as the top layer, apply the stabilizing resin. In wet or icy circumstances, you’ll find that a resin surface is far safer.

Pour Concrete

The inclination of the driveway may be attributable to progressive erosion over time in some circumstances. You can fill in any dips, hollows, or sunken areas at the base of the driveway with compacted gravel and sand. Pour concrete on top of the compressed fill to form a new ramp at the driveway’s foot.

Ice Melt Concrete Safe

Mechanical Ways

Shoveling, snow blowing, and snow plowing are all mechanical ways for removing snow from a driveway snow-melt system. You can perform this yourself or hire local persons or professional companies to accomplish them for you. It may or may not be a cost-effective technique, depending on the size of your driveway.

Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold

While finding a balance between safety, effectiveness, and Eco-friendliness may seem daunting, the journey doesn’t need to be a cold and lonely one. A number of products on the market cater to these needs without compromising any one aspect.

Enjoy Your Snow Day

Snow days should be enjoyable and worry-free, and the right ice melt for concrete driveways can contribute to that. Instead of fretting over icy driveways and sidewalks, a reliable product like ‘Safe Paw’ can make all the difference. It’s a solution that’s safe for your family, pets, concrete, and the environment, making your snowy day a delightful one.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Conclusion

For all types of driveways including steep surfaces, the safest snow removal method is using an effective natural ice melt. Safe paw ice melter reviews tell us that this green product not only removes snow but also provides traction on steep driveways. Whereas, all other methods are more expensive and time-consuming while not being completely safe. When it comes to going to and from your house during the snow season, peace of mind and guarantee of safety are priceless. 

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