Homeowner's Ice Removal Method Is A Problem: 'Turn The Street Into An Ice Rink Overnight'

Clearing snow from your driveway is no fun, and ice is even worse. Spreading rock salt is a popular solution, but you could making a mistake if you use rock salt on concrete. Chipping away at it with an ice chopper – a type of shovel specifically designed for the task — will get the job done, but this is hard work, and conditions underfoot can be treacherous. Some enterprising individuals have suggested that you can use the high-power water jet from a pressure washer to remove ice from your driveway. You'll find examples of the technique being demonstrated across social media sites like TikTok, YouTube and more. 

On a Reddit forum for power washing enthusiasts, user u/ameades shared a video blasting slush and ice away from their asphalt. In the comment thread, u/ameades explained, "Just a little driveway prep on a mild day before a big winter storm ... I could have used a shovel, but who would deny themselves that satisfying action watching the ice pop up and fling along?" While some users agreed that the removal technique was clever, others had valid concerns. One commenter, u/mode-locked replied, "Satisfying, though a great way to turn the street into an ice rink overnight." As one might expect, commentors began hurling arguments like snowballs. 

There are plenty of bizarre hacks that people use to remove snow and ice in a pinch, but this one is actually dangerous. If it's going to freeze again later in the day, power washing could do more harm than good. The thin layer of water left behind could easily turn into black ice, and you may not see it until you or your neighbors are flat on your back.

As long as temperatures are above freezing and will stay that way for a while, a pressure washer can be a quick and easy way to remove ice that is already beginning to melt. In theory, combining hot water with your pressure washer will speed up the process, but there are still two problems with this. First, if the weather is below freezing, that water sprayed on the ground will soon get cold again, and then you're back to square one. Second, most pressure washers that you can buy for home use are intended to run on cold water. Experts warn that putting hot water through it can damage the seals and the pump. The same goes for adding salt to the water. Either way, chances are you'll just end up with a busted pressure washer if you use anything besides plain, cold water. 

Hot water pressure washers do exist, and salts can often be added to these, but these commercial-grade machines can cost thousands of dollars. Even so, there are other considerations. Concrete is porous. If sprayed water seeps into the structure and freezes, the concrete surface can start to break up. There's also the risk to the pressure washer itself. Any water that freezes within the pump could cause serious harm to the machinery.

It's never fun dealing with snow and ice on your driveway, and anything that makes the job easier is welcome. There are a dozen methods for melting ice and adding traction that don't use rock salt, and any of them is safer and more effective than trying to do the job with a pressure washer. Leave it in the garage until the weather is warmer.