Tired of shoveling snow when there is a layer of impenetrable ice covering the concrete below? Well, there is a simple solution. Melt the ice and from the ground up – before it even has the chance to freeze – with winter heated driveways.
You may have heard of winter heated driveways before, or even seen one in action, but if you haven’t then you don’t know what you are missing. Heated driveways use electric mats or a series of pipes with hot water pumping through them to heat the surface of the driveway. The result is a snow-free, ice-free driveway all winter long, no matter what Mother Nature surprisingly brings.
What are the benefits of a heated driveway?
Heated driveways have many benefits, some of which you may not have considered.
Cost effective
There is no doubt that heated driveways cost more than a normal driveway. But then again, you’re paying for so much more than a standard driveway. They are worth the investment, and our clients agree.
Consider how much time you spend shoveling your driveway every year, or how much you spend to pay someone else to do it for you. Now multiply that number by the number of years that you’ll have your heated driveway. Remember to factor in the money you’ll save on the cost of driveway salt over the years.
Salt, grit, and de-icing materials actually reduce the lifespan of standard driveways because they corrode your asphalt. With a heated driveway, you don’t need to use corrosive materials – giving the pavement a longer lifespan. Even worse, salt corrodes metal and can damage your vehicle over time, requiring expensive repairs or body work.
Installing a heated driveway is an investment, but it will pay off in the long run!
Safety and convenience
Many people underestimate the importance of making daily life a little bit easier. A lifestyle change, like a heated driveway, is the difference between spending the early morning knee deep in the snow trying to get to work on time and pulling out of the driveway on schedule with a warm coffee in your hand.
For seniors or anyone with physical limitations, a heated driveway not only makes life easier but can be a safer alternative to shoveling snow or walking on an icy surface while waiting for a scheduled snow removal service.
No matter your age, shoveling snow can be dangerous. According to the BBC, about 100 people die shoveling their driveways each year. In Canada, a study showed that 1,647 people died from cardiac-related injuries while shoveling snow. The study found that “when healthy young men shoveled snow, their heart rate, and blood pressure increased more than when they exercised on a treadmill. ‘Combine this with cold air, which causes arteries to constrict and decrease blood supply, you have a perfect storm for a heart attack,’” Cardiologist Barry Franklin told the BBC.
A heated driveway won’t just make your life easier, it could save it. Heated driveways also reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. If there is an emergency, then a heated driveway means that you can drive away quickly, and emergency vehicles have better access to your home – even in a snow storm.
Environmentally friendly
Heated driveways eliminate the need for salt and grit which not only damage the pavement and your car, but also your lawn. When salt or de-icing materials enter the drainage systems it eventually makes its way to the groundwater and into our lakes and rivers.
A heated driveway is perfect for anyone who:
- Lives in a winter climate or snow-heavy area
- Is already planning on installing a new driveway
- Live with limited mobility
- Have a medical heart condition
- Needs a clear driveway at all times for medical, work, or other reasons
- Endlessly struggle with snow removal
Want to learn more about a heated driveway? Contact the pros at Concrete One for a quote and more information about the process and installation for your new heated driveway.
