The fear of slips and vehicular accidents always looms large when winter rolls around, especially in the harsher climates here in the UK. Homeowners and businesses alike need de-icing salt to protect their driveways and other walkways.
Don’t leave anything to chance this season. We’ll show you how to spread salt on driveway below along with when to spread salt on driveway for the best performance.
You’ll also learn how to remove ice from driveway without salt if need be. But the truth is, there is no better way to keep your driveway safe than a quality de-icing salt like ours here at Jennychem. When paired with our salt spreaders, you can effortlessly safeguard your surfaces.
So, shop today and learn more about the best way to spread salt on driveway below to save time and stress while ensuring safety all season long!
Let’s start with the basics - how does salt melt ice? Understanding what happens when you put salt on ice is the first step towards maximising its benefits for your property.
Salt prevents dangerous slips, falls, and vehicle skids by lowering the freezing point of water, creating a brine that prevents ice from bonding to your driveway’s surface.
In simpler terms, this keeps walkways clear and reduces the risk of accidents for everyone using the space - from family members to delivery personnel. But that’s not all, it also protects your concrete driveway itself.
Ice can bind tightly to surfaces, and in some cases cause cracks and erosion through repeated freeze-thaw cycles. A layer of salt prevents this process so you don’t have to worry about damage to expensive driveway surfaces.
Homeowners and businesses alike need to always be prepared for the first freeze of the season with a surplus of de-icing salt. Not just any salt, either - a pure, high-performance solution that works fast while preventing environmental concerns associated with run-off.
We’ll share more tips on what to look for in the best salt for driveway ice melting shortly. First, let’s talk about when to spread salt on driveway surfaces.
You would think it’s as simple as spreading salt on the driveway upon noticing ice formation - but that’s not necessarily the case. While treatment after snow or ice is present has its place, pre-treatment is the best way to spread salt on driveway.
Applying salt before a snowstorm or frost prevents ice from bonding to the driveway surface. Being proactive helps form a barrier with a brine solution that slows solid ice formation and makes it easier to clear snow later.
Pre-treating works best when the forecast predicts light snowfall or frost, as the salt will work in tandem with the initial moisture to prevent ice from forming.
However, you should avoid pre-treatment if heavy rain is expected before the snow. This moisture could wash the salt away before the freeze sets in, rendering it ineffective and ultimately wasting your time and product.
If you missed the opportunity to pre-treat your driveway you’ll need to put on some non-slip snow boots and get to work. You can still put salt down and let it melt the ice after the fact.
We recommend you shovel away loose snow before applying salt so it contacts the icy surface directly for faster, more effective results. Focus on high-traffic zones like the driveway centre and any slopes where ice can quickly become compacted and hazardous.
Applying salt for driveway isn’t a one-and-done task when prolonged freezing conditions are forecasted. You’ll need not only a pre-treatment but also a few follow-ups depending on how long the weather lasts. Ice can re-freeze as temperatures drop, especially overnight.
Lightly reapply salt to areas prone to re-freezing, such as shaded spots or slopes, and keep an eye on any icy patches that may need additional attention.
As far as how to spread salt on driveway, we’ll walk you through best practices below.
We have a separate guide on how to melt ice on concrete, but let’s get more specific about the best way to spread salt on driveway surfaces. After all, these are unique from walkways in that they tend to be sloped and more expansive. It all starts with a bit of prep work.
Begin by clearing any loose snow or debris as this prevents unnecessary salt waste while getting the salt in direct contact with the ice or frozen surface where it will be most effective.
You may need to break up hard sports on driveways with patches of packed snow or residual ice. This way, you don’t have to use as much salt in the steps that follow.
Whether you buy one here at Jennychem or learn how to build a salt spreader DIY, this will make your life much easier while guaranteeing consistent results.
There are many options at your disposal, from manual spreaders to handheld solutions for more targeted applications in smaller areas. Wheeled spreaders are the best way to spread salt on driveways, though, as they tend to be longer and wider. It will save you time and energy.
You may want to invest in a mechanical spreader with adjustable flow settings so you can tailor the application to the nuances of your specific driveway - as some areas might be more prone to freezing than others.
Here at Jennychem you’ll gain access to spreaders ranging from 36kg capacity up to 40kg capacity. Our Cresco lineup is built to withstand the harshest conditions with durable materials and attention to detail. Here are your options:
You’ll also enjoy a custom-fit handle light to illuminate the path in front, a red safety light and vibrant orange hopper for visibility, and pneumatic wheels that provide improved grip in winter and superior handling and balance. They can even be used to spread fertiliser in summer!
The salt spreader cost is an investment in efficiency and consistency. It will pay for itself over time, so browse our catalogue and keep reading to learn how to use a salt spreader below.
There’s a fine line between using enough salt for effective de-icing and overdoing it, causing unnecessary waste and putting the environment at risk with runoff.
As a general rule, around 20 grams of salt per square metre is plenty for typical conditions. While you may need slightly more if ice is thick or temperatures are extremely low, remember that more coverage doesn’t necessarily mean faster or more effective results.
Rather, it can put surrounding vegetation and wildlife in harm’s way. It may even cause corrosion of the driveway material. Always defer to the application rate recommended by the manufacturer behind your salt. You may need some trial and error to find the sweet spot.
As far as how to spread salt on driveway, we recommend mapping out a careful pattern that involves focusing on high-traffic areas, such as the middle of the driveway and slopes where ice tends to accumulate.
From there you can work outward, spreading salt toward the edges in a crisscross or grid pattern so you don’t miss any spots. Whatever you do, avoid piling salt in one area since this can cause excessive runoff, especially during melting. It creates uneven surfaces, too.
Some of the best salt for driveway ice melting is already formulated with enhanced grit - but if not, you may consider adding some sand or grit yourself for more traction.
This is ideal in extremely icy conditions or very sloped driveways. Apply grit or sand over the salted area as a top layer to add traction without needing to increase salt levels.
There you have it - how to spread salt on driveway for effective, efficient de-icing. But what if a freeze is taking place and your de-icing salt hasn’t arrived yet?
While it’s certainly not ideal, we get it - life happens. Or, maybe you are reducing salt use to lessen environmental impact. Whatever the case, here is how to remove ice from driveway without salt if you’re in a pinch.
Also known as CMA for short, this environmentally friendly de-icer works well in moderate freezing temperatures and is less corrosive than salt. It’s also biodegradable, making it a safe alternative for driveways where surrounding vegetation or concrete might be a concern.
Sprinkle a thin, even layer of CMA on the icy surface, especially on high-traffic areas and slopes. Although it may take slightly longer to act than traditional salt, it reduces the risk of re-freezing through a safer option for pets and plants.
Beet juice mixed with a brine solution is another popular natural ice-melting alternative. It lowers the freezing point of water similarly to salt but is less harmful to plants and soil. Simply spray or pour beet juice brine over icy patches on your driveway.
Similarly, a vinegar and water mixture (typically three parts vinegar to one part water) can also temporarily thaw ice. Just know the ice will then refreeze if conditions allow.
While these solutions won’t work as quickly as salt, or at all in very low temperatures, they can be a quick fix for light ice while you sort out your salt sourcing.
Nothing beats good ol’ manual labour! Thicker ice layers may be more resilient to salt, too, along with any other DIY melting method. These situations call for a sturdy metal shovel or an ice chopper to break up the ice.
Start at the edges and work your way inward. This approach is effective for the worst areas, like entry points and pathways, where you can’t take any chances leaving behind sheets of ice. Be careful when using metal tools on concrete or asphalt, as excessive force can cause damage.
For a more permanent, salt-free approach, you may consider investing in heated driveway mats or electrical de-icing systems. These are a set-it-and-forget-it method for preventing ice formation in the first place.
Heated mats are available in a variety of sizes and can be laid directly over areas that frequently freeze, such as near garage entrances or slopes. They slowly melt ice on contact for ongoing ice management throughout winter.
Electrical systems, on the other hand, are installed underneath the driveway surface for a similar effect - although this is far more intensive and expensive. This is a great choice when building a home from scratch or re-doing your driveway, though.
Although you can learn how to remove ice from driveway without salt, let’s face it. The best approach is going to require stocking up on salt this winter season. Fortunately, you don’t have to look far for the best salt for driveway ice melting - it’s right here waiting for you at Jennychem!
We have helped UK homeowners and businesses for more than 35 years, providing unparalleled products backed by exceptional customer support - all at competitive prices. We have three great salt solutions to choose from depending on your needs:
Pair one of these solutions with our salt spreaders and put our tips on how to spread salt on driveway into practice. Get in touch if you still have questions or want a product recommendation!
From when to spread salt on driveway to the best way to spread salt on driveway, we’ve covered everything you need to know about using salt for driveway ice melting. You should feel confident in your next steps on how to spread salt on driveway now.
Learn more in our blog with resources like sugar vs salt which melts ice faster, how to clean oil off driveway, does salt kill weeds, homemade driveway cleaner, how to make windscreen de icer, the best windscreen de icer, or the best weed killer for driveways.
Or, equip yourself with Jennychem’s high-quality salts and spreaders for hassle-free winter maintenance. You’ll thank yourself when you spend less time out in the freezing air spreading salt using our more efficient, longer-lasting solution!
Invest in peace of mind today. Keep your driveways safe and sound with Jennychem.
