Toronto is beginning to look a lot like a Winter Wonderland! But for all its beauty, waking up to find your driveway covered in ice and snow can still be a bit of a damper. Some of you may begin pouring out the rock salt. But wait! While removing snow can be laborious, it doesn’t have to be damaging. Here are our top tips for how to remove snow without damaging your driveway.

How Does Rock Salt Damage Your Driveway

Rock salt, also known as halite, used to be the first-line option for removing snow from the driveway. However, we now know that there are some significant downsides to this common solution. For starters, rock salt causes substantial damage to driveways made of asphalt and concrete. And if it’s hard on those tough surfaces, imagine the effect it has on surrounding plant life. It is also a known irritant to small pets and children. Luckily, there are several alternatives for removing snow from your driveway.

How To Remove Snow Without Damaging Your Driveway

• Hot Water, Soap, and Rubbing Alcohol: There are a few homemade solutions that can help melt snow and ice. This is one of the easiest ones, which can be made with many commonly found household ingredients. Simply grab a bucket and add half of a gallon of hot water, one-fourth a cup of rubbing alcohol, and around six drops of dish soap. Once it’s all combined, you pour the solution over the driveway. The snow should bubble up and begin melting.
• Invest In A Snow Blower: Don’t want to mix concoctions or grab a shovel? Invest in a snow blower! A snow blower allows you to get rid of snow by blowing it off your driveway without using rock salt or a shovel. There are several different types of snowblowers, each with its own capabilities, so you’ll want to make sure to choose one that can handle the amount of snow you need to move on those blustery mornings.
• Use A Plastic Tarp: Though this requires periodic check-ins, you can lay a tarp over the driveway when the weather is calling for snow. Then periodically lift the tarp and pile the snow on the side. Snow can be heavy, though, so lift and pile often.

In Toronto, homeowners will often face snowy, icy conditions. For many, protecting their driveway and keeping loved ones safe is a constant concern. The ideal way to deal with a slippery, icy driveway is to clear away snow and ice from the area regularly. Do not wait until snow has stopped falling before beginning to remove it.

Interested in a durable driveway that can stand up to all the challenges a winter in Toronto can bring? Contact our qualified team of professionals for a quote today at 416­-701-1881 or info@epicpaving.ca.