There is no doubt that winter is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The warm clothes, fuzzy blankets and hot cocoa are just some of the reasons that make this season magical.
However, winter is also known for heavy snowfall which often poses a real challenge for homeowners who live in a house with a large driveway. As soon as the cold weather arrives, the chances are your driveway will be suddenly covered in snow and ice, so you will need to shovel your way through the season.
Because this can be a daunting process, you can consider installing a heated driveway. Not only will this take the snow shovel out of your hands, but it will also reduce the risks of potential injuries and accidents that may occur if your driveway is not well maintained during winter.
If you are still wondering whether installing a heated driveway is worthwhile, here are four benefits of having one.
Convenience
source: designingidea.com
The truth is shoveling snow and ice in the winter takes a lot of time and energy, especially if you have a large driveway. If you don’t do it regularly, you might not even be able to get your car on the road without having to dig out first.
As a result, a convenient way to save yourself from labor work and prevent snow and ice buildup is to install a heated driveway system in your front yard. The system’s melting mats and cables placed under the concrete are programmed to detect freezing temperatures and precipitation and operate automatically when the weather changes.
If you want, you can even turn the heating on and off manually, depending on the current temperatures.
Enhances safety
source: floorheatingsystemsinc.com
If there is one reason why many people don’t like the winter season, it is because the snow and ice in the driveway are actually a safety hazard both for adults and children. The driveway may be slushy and slippery, thus increasing the risk of frequent falls and accidents. Even if you shovel regularly, the road surface can still freeze when the temperatures go below zero.
So, the best way to enhance the safety in your front yard is to install a heated driveway. Not only will the programmed system melt the snow and ice, but it will also help prevent common winter injuries such as muscle strains, joint sprains, head injuries, broken bones, and so on.
Less salt damage
source: readersdigest.ca
Another great benefit of having a heated driveway is that there will be no need for de-icing. This means you won’t be required to put any rock salt or other chemicals to defrost the road surface and prevent snow and ice buildup. The thing with salt or similar de-icers is that they can be harmful to the environment in a number of ways.
For example, when salt is put onto a road surface, it will most likely get trapped in the tiny crevices of the concrete which will allow water to draw in and then freeze or thaw during winter. This can further deteriorate your driveway, damage the road surface and even kill any nearby plants you may have.
Increased market value
source: designingidea.com
When it comes to the exterior of a house, homeowners will engage in all kinds of home improvement projects to enhance the curb appeal of their property. From fixing up the lawn to installing a stunning fence, there are so many repairs you can do to make your home appear more inviting and functional.
Installing a heated driveway system is one such repair which will also help increase the market value of your home if you ever plan to sell it. Your landscape won’t get damaged anymore from putting chemicals to melt snow and ice and no nearby vegetation will die out, which is another important aspect when you are selling a house.
Final thoughts
source: gambrick.com
If you are looking for a way to stop shoveling snow and ice during winter, then installing a heated driveway is your best option. The sensors of its programmed system will detect subfreezing temperatures and precipitation which will melt snow and ice effortlessly and in a minimal amount of time.
This will also take the snow shovel out of your hand, reduce risks of falls and accidents and eliminate the expenses of paying for professional snow-plow services to maintain the road surface during the cold season. If you are still on the fence about heated driveways, re-read our post to learn about their biggest benefits and how they can make your life easier in winter.
