What to do about ice on your driveway
Updated 2026-11-03. Prices are typical published ranges, not quotes. DrivewayBlankets.com doesn't plow; how it works.
Plowing moves snow. It doesn't melt ice. Even a perfectly plowed driveway can turn into an ice rink when slush refreezes overnight or packed snow glazes over. Here's how to deal with ice without wrecking your pavement, plants or pets' paws.
Prevent it first
- Clear snow before it's packed down. Ice usually starts as snow that got driven on. See how much snow before plowing.
- Treat early. A light application of deicer before or right at the start of a storm can keep snow from bonding to the pavement. That usually takes less material than melting ice afterward.
- Manage meltwater. Snow piles that drain across the driveway refreeze every night. Pile snow downhill of the driveway, or where its meltwater runs away from it.
- Check your gutters and downspouts. A downspout that dumps onto the driveway is a classic source of ice patches.
Deicer options and what they're good for
| Product | What to know |
|---|---|
| Rock salt (sodium chloride) | Cheapest and most common. It works best in mild cold and slows down a lot as temperatures drop well below freezing. It can harm lawns and plants, and corrode metal. |
| Calcium chloride | Works in much colder temperatures than rock salt and acts faster, but costs more. It can still damage plants and concrete if overused. |
| Magnesium chloride | Works at lower temperatures than rock salt and is often marketed as gentler on plants and concrete. Still use it sparingly. |
| Blends and "pet-friendly" products | Mixes of the above or other compounds. Read the label for the working temperature and surface warnings. |
| Sand, grit or non-clumping kitty litter | Doesn't melt anything. It adds traction right away at any temperature. Sweep it up in spring so it doesn't wash into drains. |
Always check the label for how low a product works and how much to use. More isn't better. Excess deicer just washes into your lawn and the storm drain.
Protecting concrete, pavers and asphalt
- New concrete: many concrete contractors advise against using deicers on concrete during its first winter. Use sand for traction instead, and ask whoever poured it.
- Avoid fertilizer-type deicers (ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate) on concrete. They're known to attack it.
- Freeze-thaw damage: deicers melt ice into water that can soak into the surface and refreeze, which can lead to flaking (spalling) on older or poorly sealed concrete. A good sealer and moderate use both help.
- Pavers: check the paver manufacturer's guidance. Plastic or rubber-edged shovels and blades are gentler on paver joints. See protecting lawns and pavers.
Removing ice that's already there
- Break up thin ice with a steel ice chopper or a flat ice scraper, but go easy on pavers and decorative concrete.
- Apply deicer to thicker ice and give it time to work, then scrape off the slush so it doesn't refreeze.
- Add sand or grit wherever people walk while the ice is still there.
- Don't use a blowtorch or boiling water. Hot water can refreeze fast and may crack cold pavement.
Heated driveways and mats
Radiant heating built into a new driveway, or plug-in heated mats for walkways and steps, can keep ice from forming at all. They cost much more up front and need power. They're mostly considered when a driveway is being replaced, or for a specific problem spot like steps.
Hiring help for ice
Many snow plow providers offer salting or sanding as an add-on, typically priced per application. HomeGuide lists about $20–$65 per application. Some seasonal contracts include it and many don't, so ask. You can mention that you want salting when you send a request. Also check your city's rule about the public sidewalk: some cities require you to treat ice you can't remove. See sidewalk snow rules.
Need a plow and salt? See an instant price and send one request, or pick your city.
Quick answers
What melts driveway ice in very cold weather?
Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride keep working at lower temperatures than rock salt. Check the product label for its working temperature.
Can I use salt on new concrete?
Many concrete contractors advise against deicers in a new slab's first winter. Use sand for traction instead and check with your installer.
Does snow plowing include salting?
Often not. Salting is usually priced per application; HomeGuide lists about $20–$65.