With temperatures remaining cool and more icy weather on the horizon, patios, driveways and paving can become covered with ice.
Safely removing ice from driveways, patios, and paving is essential, especially if you use these areas regularly in winter.
With this in mind, paving patio expert Simon Wardle from Armstrong Cheshire has shared how homeowners can remove ice from their driveway in minutes using everyday items.
From using rubbing alcohol to vinegar and rock salt, these are the best methods for removing ice from your driveways, paving and patios:
Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a highly effective solution for melting ice. Simply pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on particularly icy areas.
Mr Wardle added: “This method allows for ice to melt within 15 to 30 minutes, making it easy to shovel away.
“The low freezing point of alcohol helps prevent re-freezing, making it a reliable option for consistent de-icing.”
Vinegar
For an eco-friendly method, mix 50 percent warm water with 50 percent vinegar. This may take longer to work than rubbing alcohol and rock salt, but it’s safe for the environment and can be found in most people’s homes.
Rock salt
Mr Wardle said rock salt is one of the “most well-known methods for removing ice” and can quickly start melting ice.
He continued: “After shovelling away snow, spreading the salt over the ice and spraying it with warm water can speed up the de-icing.
“It’s best to avoid using salt around grassy areas and make sure pets do not ingest it, as rock salt can be harmful to plants and animals.”
Rock salt lowers water’s freezing point. It usually works within 15 to 30 minutes, especially when combined with warm water.
Avoid hot water
Using hot water may seem like the easiest solution, but it could cause damage and be a potential hazard. While hot water will melt ice quickly, it can also cool down and freeze again, creating an invisible, slippery ice rink, increasing the risk of someone falling and hurting themselves.
Boiling water can also splash which could burn the person using it or someone closely.
Mr Wardle added: “For driveways made of asphalt or concrete, it’s especially important to avoid using hot water on ice thicker than half an inch, as the extreme temperature difference can cause the ice to crack or shatter, potentially damaging the surface and putting you in an unsafe situation.”
