Landscape Contractor in Bethesda MD: Driveway Snow and Ice Removal

East Coast Landscape Design - the premier landscape contractor in Bethesda MD - has advice for home and business owners about snow and ice removal.

A great deal of care should be exercised in the removal of snow and ice around your home and business. In general, here is what you should avoid:

• Going too fast - You just want to get the job done - we get it - however, it’s safer and better to go slowly, and take off the snow or ice layers. A rushed job is unsafe, and could hurt people and damage property.
• Using metal shovels or ice picks - metal shovels or ice picks can do an incredible amount of damage to your driveway surfaces. Instead use a plastic shovel and don’t bang anything down on your driveway to break up the ice - use an ice melter instead (see the best ones below).
• Snowblowing or plowing with blades too close to the surface - If there is any damage to your asphalt, concrete, brick or other paver driveway, having your blade to close to the surface can cause more chipping damage and bits of your driveway surface flying. Not only is this dangerous to you, it’s dangerous to others and property. Leave at least a half inch between your blades, and the surface. And if you are plowing a gravel driveway, leave at least an inch or more.
• Using Rock Salt (aka Halcite or Sodium Chloride) - Rock Salt is bad for your driveway surfaces. It works down to temps around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, then that brine will make its way down through the cracks in your driveway, to refreeze and worsen cracks or cause potholes. Rock salt is also bad for your pets, your landscaping, and the environment in general.
  
  Instead of Rock Salt, consider Calcium Chloride crystals, flakes or pellets, Magnesium Chloride pellets, or Calcium Magnesium Acetate crystals. As always, read the directions before starting, and use ice melters sparingly - a little goes a long way.

Want to avoid snow and ice removal in general? Ask us about a heated driveway.

For more information on driveways, please contact the premier landscape contractor in Bethesda MD, East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design and installation of practical and beautiful walkways, patios, and driveways.