The Safest Way to Remove Ice From Your Driveway, According to an Expert

While winter snow and ice can be a beautiful sight to see, they also come with challenges for homeowners. From shoveling sidewalks to removing icicles, there are countless maintenance tasks to manage throughout the season to keep your family and neighborhood safe. One of the trickiest is clearing ice from your driveway. To learn the best way to remove driveway ice, we spoke with Earl Pitts, a New York City regional project lead and owner-operator at New York Residential Snow Removal. Ahead, he shares expert insight on how homeowners can tackle icy driveways with safety and efficiency in mind.

Preventing Ice Before It Forms

The easiest and safest approach to ice on your driveway is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Pitts recommends applying a pre-treatment de-icing product before a storm, which is essential for prevention. This step helps stop ice from bonding to the surface, making removal significantly easier and safer.

If you're home during an active storm, reapply the de-icing product every two to four hours, as conditions allow. "The goal isn’t to keep bare pavement during active snowfall, it’s to maintain traction and prevent refreezing, which ultimately keeps the driveway safer," Pitts says.

How to Remove Ice From Your Driveway

When ice is already on your driveway, the safest and most effective way to remove it is to use a low-corrosive ice melt, such as magnesium chloride or a salt blend designed for residential surfaces. "These help break down ice while minimizing damage to concrete and surrounding landscaping," Pitts says.

If the ice is especially thick, Pitts recommends allowing extra time for the de-icer to work before gently removing the loosened ice with a sturdy plastic shovel with a metal edge, or an ice chopper if you have one.

"When chipping, work at a low angle, around 15 degrees from the pavement, scraping under the ice rather than digging straight down, which can damage the driveway," Pitt explains.

While ice removal can often be handled without professional help, severe weather conditions may warrant calling a professional ice management service. Professionals have the proper materials and equipment to reduce hazards and handle the job.

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Choosing the Right Ice-Melting Products

Using the right products is essential for proper ice removal. For homeowners, magnesium chloride is one of the best options. It works well in average winter temperatures and remains effective down to about 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Pitts. "It’s generally safer for concrete and landscaping, making it a more balanced option for everyday winter ice control, and it’s usually my go-to recommendation for homeowners," he says.

Another common ice removal product is calcium chloride. Designed for extreme weather conditions, it remains effective in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, Pitts says. Many professionals rely on it because it penetrates ice quickly.

However, if you choose to use calcium chloride, apply it sparingly to help protect your concrete surfaces and nearby vegetation or landscaping.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

• Letting ice build up: Pitts says the most common mistake homeowners make is waiting too long to address ice buildup on their driveway. "Once ice bonds to the driveway surface, it becomes much harder and more dangerous to remove," he says. "Being proactive and applying pre-treatment can significantly reduce this risk."
• Overusing ice-melting products: Applying too much salt or ice melt can damage concrete, harm nearby plants, and leave a slippery residue when temperatures drop, Pitts says. Follow product directions carefully and apply only the recommended amount to ensure effective coverage without causing damage.
• Using metal tools to remove ice: Avoid using metal shovels, chisels, or sharp tools when removing ice. These tools can chip, crack, or otherwise damage the driveway's surface.
• Pouring hot water on ice: Using boiling or hot water to melt ice is risky. While it may melt the ice temporarily, the water can refreeze quickly, creating an even smoother and more dangerous surface, Pitts warns. Repeated exposure to hot water in freezing conditions can also lead to cracking or surface damage in concrete.