Some people love winter, others hate it, but regardless of your feelings toward the season, waking up to a driveway full of ice and snow can be frustrating. In addition, an unexpected blizzard can cost you hours of precious time and even create a slippery safety hazard for you and your family. So what’s the best way to remove snow and ice from your driveway, and is there anything you can do to prepare it for an impending winter storm?
Removing Snow
The first step in clearing a frosty driveway is to remove any accumulated snow. There are a few ways you can do this, depending on the amount of snow that has fallen.
For light dustings, a leaf blower or a broom may be all you need to clear your driveway of fallen snow. However, for anything more than an inch of snow, you’re going to need some additional equipment. Snow shovels are an effective way to remove deep snow; however, using them requires a lot of time and physical effort. If you have a large driveway or live in an area prone to heavy snowfall, a snowblower is your best bet. Modern snowblowers can clear your drive and walkways in a matter of minutes.
Removing Ice
After you’ve cleared away all the snow, at times, due to rapid temperature changes, you may find a layer of ice covering your driveway. Like with snow, depending on how thick the ice is, you can use a few different methods to remove it.
For thin sheets of ice, a store-bought deicer is an excellent option. Deicers usually come in the form of small salt pellets or an alcohol-based solution that you can spread over ice patches to melt them quickly. If you are expecting snowfall or freezing rain, deicers can also be put down preemptively to prevent ice from forming.
For thicker ice patches, an ice scraper is an easy way to chip away the slippery layer from your driveway. Ice scrapers are inexpensive, easy to use, and can be found just about anywhere.
Take Preemptive Measures
While clearing a driveway of snow and ice is a fairly simple process, it takes preparation. Before any inclement weather arrives, the best thing you can do is ensure you have all the supplies and tools that you need for the task. If you’re expecting overnight snowfall, it also helps to set your alarm a few minutes early to give you enough time to clear your driveway before you have to leave for work.
The Cold Affects Your Garage Door Too
Along with your driveway, winter conditions can significantly affect the way your garage door system performs as well. Frigid temperatures can cause garage door openers to dramatically slow down or even cause the weather stripping to freeze to the ground, leaving you stranded with no way to leave the house.
Now that winter is here, if you’ve noticed your garage door isn’t functioning like usual, it may be time for a tune-up. Our team of garage door pros can help you pinpoint and resolve any issues that may be impeding peak winter performance. Contact us today to schedule an inspection!
