Atlanta winter weather: How to prep your driveway for ice, snow
BIDDEFORD, ME MARCH 14: Michael Biewald clears slush snow from the end of a driveway along Hill Street in Biddeford on Tuesday afternoon. A nor'easter is delivering wind, snow, rain and coastal flooding to Maine Tuesday afternoon and evening. (Staff
ATLANTA - The potential for snow and ice in Georgia this weekend is getting stronger and stronger with each FOX 5 Storm Team forecast. Still, many Georgians who have to commute to work or handle other responsibilities will have to brave the inclement weather. The first road block will be getting out of your driveway.
While it would be nice if we could all have heated driveways that melt ice in a jiffy, here are a couple of more practical, cost-effective ways to prep your driveway for snow or ice:
Rock salt
- Where to get it: You can buy a bag of rock salt from your local grocer, hardware store, Walmart or even Amazon.
- How it works: Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which means it has to be even colder outside before ice can form. This will lessen the chance of a slippery driveway. Sprinkle it all over your driveway before the rain or sleet begins.
- Warning: It will have to be reapplied if it's washed away by rain. It can also stain your shoes once they dry. No worries, a damp cloth with a little white vinegar should bring back the color.
- Pet-safe? Rock salt is potentially dangerous for pets. It's sharp enough to cut their delicate paws. It may also be toxic if ingested.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing for snow and ice this weekend.
Kitty litter
- Where to get it: You can usually purchase kitty litter at any local grocer, pet supply store, drug store, dollar store, Walmart, Amazon and more.
- How it works: This method is not meant to melt or prevent ice. It's meant to help absorb moisture and give your tires some traction.
- Warning: Depending on how wet the ground gets, the kitty litter could eventually turn into sludge which may introduce another hazard.
- Pet-safe? Kitty litter is generally safe for pets. While it's, of course, not meant for consumption, it's more likely to be toxic if it is consumed in large quantities.
Sand
- Where to get it: You can get sand at home improvement stores, garden centers or even hardware stores. You'll want to look for bags that say "traction" or "play" sand.
- How it works: This method is also not meant to melt or prevent ice. It's meant to help absorb moisture and give your tires some traction.
- Warning: Sand can be detrimental to vegetation, so be careful not to apply it too close to the edges or your driveway. Also, check your drains to make sure they don't get clogged as rain or sleet washes the sand away. You'll also need to reapply the sand periodically to make sure it's most effective when you need it.
- Pet-safe? Like kitty litter, sand is generally not safe for pets if consumed in large quantities.
Anti-icer
- Where to get it: You can usually find ice melt at home improvement stores, hardware stores or on Amazon.
- How it works: Anti-icer, or de-icer, melts ice or prevents it from forming in the place. Check the packaging on the anti-icer you purchase for application instructions. It may need to be sprayed or sprinkled across your driveway.
- Warning: Anti-icer can be flammable, so be careful where you store it and how you dispose of it.
- Pet-safe? There are pet-safe anti-icer options that reduce the risk of irritation to your pets' paws. You'll want to look for packaging with a special label.
If your pet ingests any of these options, your best bet is to get them to drink plenty of water afterward. Then, monitor them for any signs of discomfort. If they begin exhibiting signs of distress, seek veterinary care.
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MORE TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER:
- How Georgia prepares for winter weather
- Make sure you have these things in your car
- What to do if you lose electricity
- How to ensure your pets stay warm and safe
- Prepare now for winter... fun?
Did we miss something? Email us at newstipsatlanta@fox.com.
The Source: This is an original article by FOX 5 Atlanta streaming host and producer Judayah Murray based on her decades of experience living in New York and prepping for harsh winters. Murray reported out of Atlanta.