How to Stop Icy, Slippery Driveways and Walkways This Winter

Winter in Ottawa can be beautiful, but it also makes it hard to keep driveways and walkways safe and slip-free. With the right approach, you can prevent falls and keep your property accessible all season. Here's how to manage snow and ice this winter.

Regular snow clearing

One of the best ways to prevent slippery surfaces is regular snow clearing. By removing snow promptly, you reduce the chance of it compacting into ice. For residents in Ottawa, using professional snow removal services in Ottawa can save time and make sure your whole property gets cleared.

Ezi Services offers reliable snow clearing services in Ottawa that can be scheduled at your convenience. Regular clearing stops snow from piling up and keeps paths safe for family and visitors.

Clear down to the pavement where you can. A thin layer of packed snow left behind turns into a glaze once it's walked or driven on.

Use de-icing products strategically

After clearing the snow, de-icing products help stop ice from forming on what's left. Salt melts ice, and sand adds traction. Use these products sparingly to avoid damaging your driveway or walkway and to limit the impact on the environment. In spring, wash off the leftover salt and grime with the steps in our pressure washing guide.

Shovel first. Salt doesn't work on top of a big pile of snow, so it should only go on what's left after clearing. Salt also has limits in the cold. According to the City of Toronto, salt begins to lose effectiveness at -10°C and is ineffective below -20°C. On Ottawa's coldest days, switch to sand or a de-icer rated for lower temperatures, and check the temperature range printed on the bag.

Consider these de-icing options:

Product	Best for	Watch out for
Rock salt	Melting ice on milder winter days	Loses power in deep cold; harms plants and concrete when overused
Sand or non-clumping kitty litter	Traction on very cold days	Doesn't melt ice; gets tracked indoors
Calcium chloride	A less corrosive option for colder days	Costs more; still use sparingly
Eco-friendly blends	Areas near gardens and pets	Check the temperature rating on the bag

A few tips make any product work better:

• Spread thinly and evenly. More salt doesn't mean more melting. The extra washes into lawns and storm drains.
• Get ahead of freezing rain. A light application before it starts helps stop ice from bonding to the pavement.
• Sweep up leftovers. Once the pavement is dry, sweep up extra salt and grit so you can reuse it.

Install heated mats for long-term protection

For a more permanent fix, consider heated mats on your walkways and driveway. These mats melt snow and ice as they fall, keeping surfaces clear without manual clearing. They cost more upfront, but they give you steady safety all winter. If you'd rather skip the equipment and let pros handle it, see our breakdown of how much snow removal costs in Ottawa.

Heated mats are most useful for:

• High-traffic areas prone to ice buildup
• Steep driveways where slipping is more dangerous
• Properties where regular upkeep is hard to manage

Add snow fences for wide-open properties

Snow fences work well on large lots or spots that catch heavy drift. Set one upwind of your driveway or walkway. It redirects blowing snow before it piles up. This cuts down the clearing you need to do after a storm.

Find where the water comes from

Most icy patches have a water source. Look at your driveway on a sunny afternoon and see where meltwater runs:

• Downspouts that empty onto the driveway or walkway. Add an extension that sends water toward the lawn.
• Snowbanks uphill from a path. Move new snow to the low side so melt drains away from where you walk.
• Low spots and sunken pavers where water pools. Mark them now and level them in spring.

Make doorways safer

Put a rough-textured mat at each outside door and a boot tray just inside, so meltwater doesn't make the tile slick. Keep a small pail of sand by the door for surprise icy mornings. Sturdy handrails on outdoor steps help older family members and visitors most.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Salting before shovelling. The salt gets buried and wasted.
• Relying on salt in deep cold. Below its working range, it just sits there. Use sand for grip instead.
• Chipping ice with a metal edge. Ice picks and sharp shovel blades can crack concrete and chip pavers.
• Leaving snow overnight after a storm. Footsteps and tires pack it down, and it freezes hard by morning.

Schedule regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your property safe during winter months. This includes steady snow removal and clearing gutters, so melting snow drains away instead of refreezing on walkways. Check for cracks or uneven surfaces too. They turn hazardous once ice forms. Fixing these early prevents falls and extends the life of your driveway.

Ezi Services can help with property maintenance to get your home winter-ready. Our team spots hazards and deals with them before they become safety problems.

Why choose Ezi Services?

Ezi Services makes winter easier with professional, reliable service. You can book snow clearing in Ottawa and other winter services through our easy online platform. Our team works to keep your property safe and accessible all season long.

Visit our Ottawa page to learn more about how we can help you this winter. Take the simple steps above early, and let Ezi handle the heavy lifting when storms stack up.