Winter is here again, and with it comes the job of getting rid of the snow on your driveway. It might seem like a big task, but don’t worry! We’ve put together a simple guide to help you get ahead of snowy weather and clear your paths with ease.
Get your tools ready ahead of time
Before the snow comes, make sure you have all the tools you need. You’ll want a quality snow shovel and de-icing salt, or sand if you don’t have any.
Start as early as possible
You might not want to go outside in the cold too early, but it’ll make clearing the snow a lot easier. Fresh, loose snow will be much easier to shovel than snow packed together by people walking across it.
Head out early and clear the loose top layer, so the sun can start to melt any ice underneath. Then, you can spread some de-icing salt to stop the paths from refreezing overnight.
Work your way outwards
It might be tempting to start at the edges, but you could be making more work for yourself.
Starting in the middle means you won’t be pushing snow back onto areas you’ve already cleared. You should leave the cleared snow on your front garden or at the edge of your drive – make sure you don’t block someone else’s path or any drains.
It can be tiring work, so make sure you’re shovelling in a way that won’t hurt your back. Bend at your knees, lift with your legs, and try not to twist too much.
Don’t use water
You might think it’s a quick and easy way to melt the snow, but throwing water over your driveway can create some dangerous problems.
The water could refreeze and turn to black ice, which is a lot harder to see – and so a lot easier to slip on.
Shovel frequently
If you’re expecting a heavy snowfall, try to clear it periodically instead of waiting until it stops and settles. It’s easier to shovel smaller amounts of snow more frequently than dealing with a large, compacted layer later.
However – only go out if it’s safe to do so. If the snow is extremely heavy or obscuring your visibility, wait for it to subside first.
Will my road be gritted?
With your driveway clear, you might be wondering if your road will be gritted too to help you get moving safely.
You can find out if the council are planning to grit your road here:
• England & Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
Get prepared for winter
As well as being prepared to handle any snow, there’s plenty you can do to get ahead of winter. Our Winter Essentials Bundle has everything you need for safe driving in cold weather; a can of de-icer, a demister pad, a 3-in-1 ice scraper, and some -10 ready mixed screenwash.
It’s also the perfect time to get your car checked over by an expert – our 10 Point Car Health Check will make sure you’re ready to take on the roads, whatever the weather. We’ll check vital parts like your headlights, wipers, tyres, and more to give you ultimate peace of mind. Plus, you get two free 10-Point Checks every year to use whenever you’d like with Halfords Motoring Club Premium.
