Steep driveways can mean big problems once snow and ice hits the ground. Preventing slide offs is critical to safety and enjoying the home all year. Today we are taking a look at the options for managing steep driveways when winter arrives.
The simplest solution to avoid sliding off a steep, icy driveway is not to drive on it. Many homeowners park at the bottom of the slope during storms throughout the winter. While this prevents a slide off, the hike to and from the vehicle comes with risk of slip and fall accidents. There are also the risks associated with leaving the vehicle on the street in winter weather.
When you know a storm is coming, salt or snow melting chemicals can be spread on the driveway to keep things clear. The effectiveness of this approach varies, and severe storms will overwhelm them. In a previous post we discuss the various environmental risks associated with snow melt chemicals and salts.
Another option, often paired with snow melting chemicals is spreading sand or kitty litter in the particularly dangerous sections of the driveway. These can provide the extra traction needed to get up and down safely, but require planning ahead and can become less effective in severe weather events.
The one sure way to keep ice and snow from impeding access to your home is to remove it. You could do this yourself, but what happens if you aren’t home during the storm? The best solution for steep driveways all winter long is a snow melting system.
Heated driveway technology is becoming more accessible and affordable. With a variety of options from heating your entire surface to a set of heated tire tracks, there is a snow melting system for your project. Systems are designed by experienced professionals who use regional climate data to provide a system that is both highly effective and efficient.
Steep Driveway Solutions
The simplest solution to avoid sliding off a steep, icy driveway is not to drive on it. Many homeowners park at the bottom of the slope during storms throughout the winter. While this prevents a slide off, the hike to and from the vehicle comes with risk of slip and fall accidents. There are also the risks associated with leaving the vehicle on the street in winter weather.
Another option, often paired with snow melting chemicals is spreading sand or kitty litter in the particularly dangerous sections of the driveway. These can provide the extra traction needed to get up and down safely, but require planning ahead and can become less effective in severe weather events.
Heated driveway technology is becoming more accessible and affordable. With a variety of options from heating your entire surface to a set of heated tire tracks, there is a snow melting system for your project. Systems are designed by experienced professionals who use regional climate data to provide a system that is both highly effective and efficient.