How to Remove Snow and Ice From a Driveway Without Salt

When the cold season in Ontario rolls around, you'll likely find your driveway and other pathways covered in snow from time to time. Your first instinct may be to grab the rock salt, widely used by snow plow drivers and known for its cost-effectiveness. However, there might be more effective snow- and ice-melting strategies than rock salt.

There are a few reasons you may want to avoid salt and instead try alternative strategies to de-ice your driveway without salt. Continue reading to learn more!

The Problem With Salt

Homeowners and snow plow vendors throughout the Greater Toronto Area widely use salt to eliminate snow. It's known for its cost-effectiveness and ability to reduce the chances of ice formation. It lowers the freezing point of water through a process known as Freezing point depression, thwarting any chance of snow or ice accumulating.

At a basic level, road salt is made from sodium chloride, the same chemical used in table salt. It doesn't go through all the same processes that make it safe to consume, so it still contains harmful contaminants like lead, iron, aluminum and phosphorous. These pollutants can cause itchy eyes, rashes and stomach issues while posing threats to pets.

When salt is spread across roads and driveways, the residue left behind can cause significant damage to the surface of your driveway and any additional pathways. Road salt pollution has also been connected to harmful effects within local ecosystems. As the residue seeps into the ground, it pollutes local water supplies, harms and kills wildlife, erodes soil and damages properties.

5 Solutions for Your Icy Driveway

Whether you have run out of your ice supply or want to do your part to help your local environment, you should consider the following alternatives to help you melt ice on your driveway without salt.

1. Count on the Sun and Your Shovel

If you're looking for a tried and true strategy to remove the snow and ice, consider leaving it to the sun to thaw your frozen driveway, walkway or stoop and grabbing your shovel to take care of the rest.

The key to shoveling is getting out there early before anyone can walk on it. If you wait too long and family members leave for work or school, their footsteps will compact the snow, making it more challenging to remove.

Plus, shoveling early gives the sun the time to melt snow on your driveway, which can help prevent black ice from forming. Black ice is hard to spot with the naked eye, which makes driving and walking more dangerous when the temperatures drop. If you're consistent each morning throughout the winter months, you'll succeed in keeping your driveway clear and safe.

2. Get Your Hands on a Snow Blower

Shoveling isn't for everyone. It can often consume hours of your day, and the work might increase many people's blood pressure and heart rate. Some hire a local plow company or a friendly neighbor to take care of their property. But for those who still want to do it themselves, a trusty snow blower will help you remove ice from your driveway without salt while easing some of the stress on your body.

Snow blowers come in all shapes and sizes, available in gas, corded electric, or battery configurations. There are three main types: single-, two- and three-stage blowers. Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for small driveways and walkways with fluffy snow, while two- and three-stage options will work well on longer driveways with wet and heavy snow and thick ice.

Pay attention to how much snow a model can move and match it to your climate. Some models can handle up to 30 centimetres (12 inches), while others can deal with 40 centimetres (16 inches) or more.

3. Use Snow-Melt Mats

While residents commonly use snow-melting mats for smaller walkways, entryways and front stoops, they can also do good for your driveway. Store them in your garage in the off-season, and place them on your asphalt or pavement before a snowstorm to melt snow effortlessly without salt.

These mats may affect the visual appeal of your property, but they are practical heating solutions available at a much lower cost than installing a comprehensive system beneath your driveway.

4. Create a Homemade Snow Melting Mixture

Road salt is effective when temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). When it starts to plummet below minus 7 degrees Celsius (19 degrees Fahrenheit), it's rendered unproductive.

When in doubt, pour boiling hot water over icy areas on your pavement. For more strength, consider using a snow-melting concoction you can create with items you have at home. With just rubbing alcohol, dish soap and hot water, you'll have a solution that will melt ice on your driveway in no time.

It's best to wait for the hottest part of the day and use a metal shovel to scrape away the leftover snow. When you're all done, shovel away excess water to avoid creating more ice.

5. Invest in a Heated Driveway

Living in an area that receives significant amounts of snow yearly can get tiring, especially when you're responsible for clearing your driveway. Some homeowners eliminate the need for salt, shovelling, homemade solutions and snow-melt mats altogether when they install a radiant heated driveway instead, despite their high costs.

A radiant heated driveway system is installed beneath a variety of surfaces, including asphalt, concrete and pavers. These systems can either be electric or hydronic. Electric configurations work by heating up metal rods to warm your driveway, while hydronic systems achieve the same result by distributing a heated water and antifreeze mixture through PVC piping.

Installing a heated driveway is a convenient method to de-ice your driveway without adding to the roughly 5 million metric tons of salt added to the roads yearly in Canada. They can be automatic or manual, equipped with either snow sensors that activate the system when snow is present or a switch that you can flip on from the comfort of your home. Regardless of your choice, you'll enjoy a hassle-free winter with a warm and snow-free driveway.

Count on Boss Mechanical to Melt the Snow on Your Driveway

Looking for professional services to keep your driveway clear of snow and ice? Boss Mechanical is here to help. Our Snow/Ice Melt system offers incredible convenience and adds value to your home while keeping you and your family safe during the winter.

Our licensed professionals can help you defend against the snow during wintertime. For more information about how we can help, contact us online to speak with a team member today.