Driveway ice, melting, safe, process (Gunnison: home security, transfer, live)

[Charles]

Checked the threads didn't find anything on this.

What might be the best practice, process and/or product for getting rid of accumulating ice on my concrete driveway? I normally blow the snow of my driveway as soon as possible. It seems that other snow, probably surrounding the driveway and residual snow on the driveway melts and freezes leaving one to three inches of ice or extremely packed snow. I have tried the el cheapo granular mix found at Home Depot but I really think that is for thin ice glaze on sidewalks (so people don't slip) and not for thick ice buildup. I have also read this stuff isn't too good for concrete either.

I've actually thought of pouring antifreeze or winter mix windshield wiper fluid on it but that is probably not good for the environment, it probably won't work, and it doesn't sound like a cheap solution.

So, anyone have any good practices, processes or products to a) prevent ice buildup and b) remove existing ice buildup?

Here are a couple of products ideas

Brookstone - HOME SECURITY @ OliverGoodStuff.com (scroll down to bare ground system)

Eco Backyard » An Eco-Friendly Way to Melt Ice and Snow

Thanks


This guy would much rather be posting on City-Data than clearing ice.

http://blogs.metrowestdailynews.com/MWNow/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/phomwsvshovelfeature_0319.jpg (broken link)

[jazzlover]

Antifreeze is deadly poisonous to dogs and cats--and it tastes sweet--they will lap it up. Once ingested, there is nothing really that can be done--death is nearly always the result. And it is an agonizing death for the animal. I've used kitty litter with some success. It doesn't chemically speed melting like the various salt products do, but it gives the sun something dark to shine on. The litter absorbs that heat and transfers it to the ice. Best thing to do is exactly what you're doing in the photo--get spots scraped down to some bare ground, and let the Colorado sun do its work.

The best prevention is to get the driveway, walks, etc. shoveled off as soon as possible after it snows, before the snow has a chance to melt and refreeze--and before driving or walking on it packs into ice. If an ice and snow buildup can't be prevented (when I lived in Gunnison, the streets and walks would be snow and icepacked for about 3 months every winter), just throw some sand on it so you don't slip around and wait for spring . . .

[Mike from back east]

That chap in the pic is using a long-handle ice scraper. I brought mine with me from back east. Imagine a basic garden hoe, with it's 6-inch wide blade, but running parallel with the long handle, not at a 90-degree angle like a hoe. It has beveled edge that digs in under the ice and lifts it up. I sometimes use mine here on the driveway where I've made tire tracks and compressed the snow way past the point that the standard flimsy snow shovel can get it up.

s/Mike

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

That chap in the pic is using a long-handle ice scraper. I brought mine with me from back east. Imagine a basic garden hoe, with it's 6-inch wide blade, but running parallel with the long handle, not at a 90-degree angle like a hoe. It has beveled edge that digs in under the ice and lifts it up. I sometimes use mine here on the driveway where I've made tire tracks and compressed the snow way past the point that the standard flimsy snow shovel can get it up.

s/Mike

I've used those critters before. And I've also used a pick axe when--for whatever reason--the ice just had to go, but that sure does raise hell with a concrete finish.

Look at the bright side--Charles could be this guy (Mike, you'll enjoy this--shot, I believe, just over the Colorado line into Kansas last winter):


YouTube - Train Snow Plow Getting Stuck

or this:


YouTube - Rotary Snow Plow Union Pacific 900082 Blizzard 2006 Action

[Mike from back east]

Now THAT's a plow! Thanks for the links....more good stuff out there. Some of those guys get too close for their own good.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

That chap in the pic is using a long-handle ice scraper. I brought mine with me from back east. Imagine a basic garden hoe, with it's 6-inch wide blade, but running parallel with the long handle, not at a 90-degree angle like a hoe. It has beveled edge that digs in under the ice and lifts it up. I sometimes use mine here on the driveway where I've made tire tracks and compressed the snow way past the point that the standard flimsy snow shovel can get it up.

That sounds like a tool I bought for popping up floor tiles a couple of years ago. Maybe I'll bring it with me instead of selling it in California.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

That sounds like a tool I bought for popping up floor tiles a couple of years ago. Maybe I'll bring it with me instead of selling it in California.

Indeed so, bring it.

[Charles]

Those train videos were interesting. One of the comments was from some guy who wanted to go for a train ride while that snow equipment was operating. Amazing that train got stuck.

I wonder if I could get a ride along with an El Paso County snow plow. I did a ride along with a Ventura County Sheriff about 15 years ago. Pretty interesting.

Think I'll get one of those ice scraper things at Home Depot at halftime today.

[LisaCACO]

great thread! we've been trying to figure out where to get one of those long handled ice scraper thingies (and what they're called, lol). woohoo! now we have a name too!