How Do You Prevent Ice Buildup on Your Driveway?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Ice buildup is one of the biggest winter headaches for homeowners in London, Ontario, and a bit of prevention goes a lot further than trying to chip ice off after the fact.

The biggest cause of driveway ice is meltwater refreezing. Sun exposure or heat from the ground melts a thin layer of snow during the day, and it refreezes into a hard sheet overnight when temperatures drop. Clearing snow promptly after a storm, before it has a chance to partially melt and refreeze, is the single best way to prevent this cycle.

Applying salt or an ice melt product before a freeze can also help, especially ahead of a forecasted temperature drop. Calcium chloride products work at lower temperatures than plain rock salt, which matters during London's colder cold snaps.

Driveway grading and drainage play a role too. Water that pools instead of draining away will freeze first, so addressing low spots or clogged drainage before winter can reduce ice buildup significantly.

At Thames Valley Snow, seasonal plans clear every snowfall of 5 cm or more automatically, and our seasonal salt add-on covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, so you are not left guessing when to salt.

Pick the Right Product for the Temperature

Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the cheapest and most common de-icer, but it works poorly below about -10°C. During a deep cold snap it may sit on the surface doing very little. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride blends keep working at lower temperatures and act faster. If you have pets, look for a pet-safe product; plain salt can irritate paws and is toxic if licked in quantity. Our pet-safe de-icer option is $120 + HST for the season.

Spread product thinly and evenly. A handful scattered across a square metre is usually plenty. Piling it on does not melt more ice, it just washes into your lawn and garden beds in spring.

Anti-Icing Before the Storm

The best time to apply de-icer is before ice forms. A light pre-treatment ahead of freezing rain or a hard overnight freeze stops ice from bonding to the pavement, which makes later clearing much easier. This is why freezing rain and refreeze visits are included in our seasonal salt service ($175 + HST): the timing of those events matters as much as the snowfall itself.

Fix the Water Before It Freezes

Look at where water goes on your property. Downspouts that discharge onto the driveway, low spots where puddles sit, and snow piles stacked on the uphill side of the drive all feed ice. Extend downspouts away from paved areas, keep drains clear, and stack snow where meltwater drains away from walkways. On our seasonal properties, drains are marked before the season so they do not get buried.

Steps and Walkways Need Extra Attention

Steps freeze first and are where most falls happen. Shaded north-facing entrances may not see sun all winter. Consider adding walkway and steps clearing (from $150 + HST; walk plus up to 6 steps $175) so these areas are cleared on every visit.

What to Expect From a Seasonal Plan

Every seasonal customer gets the same basics: service from December 1 to March 31, automatic visits at 5 cm or more, return visits in long storms, the City windrow cleared, and a timestamped photo after each visit. Quotes are prepared from City of London maps and aerial imagery within 1 business day, and we carry $2,000,000 liability coverage, are WSIB registered and are LPMA members.

Driveway Ice FAQ

Is salting included in a seasonal plan?

No. Seasonal salt is a $175 + HST add-on that includes freezing rain and refreeze visits.

Will salt damage my stamped or paver driveway?

Some de-icers are harsher than others on decorative surfaces; the pet-safe option is gentler.

Stay ahead of ice this winter with a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. Learn more about salting and ice control.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.