Best tool to break up ice on my driveway?

[bignateyk]

I've heard that rock salt can pit concrete driveways, so I avoid it and use the "synthetic" stuff.

That's only really an issue if it is a new driveway (<1yr) that isn't fully cured, or if the driveway is already falling apart.

A fully cured driveway in good condition shouldn't have an issue with rock salt.

 

[Drako]

When I lived in Kansas we had a couple of "ice breaker" tools. Basically a long shovel handle with a large steel scraper at the bottom, maybe 6"-8" wide. I don't know if they still make them any more? The only thing I see in the hardware stores here in WA that looks anything like it is the edging tools - the ice breaker looks similar except it's straight at the edge instead of curved. They work great on smooth driveway surfaces, probably wouldn't work well on aggregate driveways.

Yeah, it's called a Scuffle Hoe. We used to use them all the time to remove ice from sidewalks when I was growing up.

 

[highland145]

Scuffle Hoe

Is that a new dance or a bitch fight.

 

[Drako]

Is that a new dance or a bitch fight.

Bent Shank Scuffle Hoe is a dance I believe

 

[Modular]

De-icer (I use this instead of salt) and time.

 

[ShawnD1]

Most people just buy an ice chipper.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Why are there more than 3 or 4 responses in here?

 

[highland145]

Bent Shank Scuffle Hoe is a dance I believe

 

[Drako]

Most people just buy an ice chipper.

Except you can't buy those at most hardware stores :hmm:

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Why are there more than 3 or 4 responses in here?

Boredom plus it's safe for the at work crowd.

 

[Phokus]

Except you can't buy those at most hardware stores :hmm:

Damn, that looks perfect.

 

[bignateyk]

Damn, that looks perfect.

It's called a digging bar/iron. You can get them at lowes for like 20 bucks;

 

[highland145]

Damn, that looks perfect.

Amazon Prime and you'll have it shortly.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

napalm

 

[highland145]

napalm

Only in the morning.

 

[Drako]

Amazon Prime and you'll have it shortly.

Except they can't get to his house - too much ice on the driveway and sidewalk .

 

[kranky]

Use the "deicer" stuff, not rock salt. You don't have to coat the entire ice surface - sprinkle it around at about 10&#37; coverage. You can always use more if you need it. It will burn through the ice quicker than you might think, then starting near the edge of the ice floe use something with a metal edge (beefier than a snow shovel) to jab down on the ice. That will break it up into pieces, then you can shovel it.

 

[Phokus]

Use the "deicer" stuff, not rock salt. You don't have to coat the entire ice surface - sprinkle it around at about 10% coverage. You can always use more if you need it. It will burn through the ice quicker than you might think, then starting near the edge of the ice floe use something with a metal edge (beefier than a snow shovel) to jab down on the ice. That will break it up into pieces, then you can shovel it.

Wow... detailed. Ok thanks i might try this.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

hot water of course!

otherwise a shotgun. with rock salt.

 

[Capt Caveman]

You can get one of these at Lowes for $24

 

[BurnItDwn]

Garant Nordic 24in Steel Snow Shovel
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3994135

You won't bend this puppy no matter how hard you try.

I've killed every snow shovel I've ever owned, usually by breaking the handle or breaking the actual shovel bit.

I've had this for 2 winters now, and it hasn't even shown any signs of strain.
I can smash it into my driveway, and it'll break through or loosen up solid pack ice just fine.


I've also used spade shovels in the past, but they really don't work as well as my Garant.
I've tried a hammer, but usually anything big enough to really break up the ice will also break up the surface of the driveway.

Thus, Garant steel snow pusher = best possible way to remove ice.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Illegal aliens.

This.

Least expensive. Most effective.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Boredom plus it's safe for the at work crowd.

How many ATOTers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

 

[BoomerD]

Calcium chloride de-icer.

Does less damage to your landscaping, concrete, and vehicles....and works better than salt.

 

[joesmoke]

How many ATOTers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

given their collective inexperience in screwing? hmmm...