After chipping away at your driveway on a frigid day, it’s crucial to take the proper de-icing steps. Throwing down a handful of salt can be harmful to your landscape in the spring because it draws water away from plants and kills them. However, there are some environmentally friendly alternatives. Here are a few tips to help you protect your landscape and safely melt your icy driveway. 

3 Driveway De-Icing Tips

1. Use Animal-Friendly De-Icer

If shoveling snow on a winter day is difficult, but you still need to get in and out of the driveway, consider investing in a de-icing agent that’s animal-friendly. There are a host of products on the market that are salt-free. Pet-friendly de-icing agents don’t contain any harmful chemicals, freeing your pet to lick their paws and clean themselves after going outside; they also won’t harm local wildlife. 

2. Shovel Down to the Pavement 

One of the best ways to keep your driveway from icing over is to clear away any snow so that it doesn’t have a chance to melt during the day and then freeze overnight. When clearing your driveway, use a shovel that’s sharp enough to get underneath snow that’s been packed down. Doing so will make it easier to prevent ice buildup, in addition to making any eco-friendly de-icing agent you put down more effective. 

3. Install a Snow-Melting Mat

A fantastic eco-friendly way to prevent ice buildup is to let your driveway do the work by installing a snow-melting mat beneath it. You probably don’t want to tear up a new driveway to do so, but if you have an older one that needs to be replaced, laying a snow-melting mat beneath it is extremely economical. It uses electricity to heat your driveway and melt snow naturally, eliminating the need for de-icing agents.

While normal salt can damage your driveway during the winter, there are a variety of eco-friendly options. With extensive construction and planning experience, the driveway professionals at Caddo Construction in Anchorage, AK, provide a host of affordable services to home and business owners alike. Whether you need snow removal or more complicated paving solutions, their experienced staff can accommodate you. Call (907) 333-6160 today or visit their website for more information on their services.