WINTER WARNING: The common de-icing trick that's cracking driveways – and the £1 fix hiding in your cupboard

With snow and ice causing chaos across the UK, freezing mornings are back, and so are hazardous driveways. Experts are warning homeowners to watch their step and consider how they de-ice their driveways.

Most people reach straight for rock salt, but doing so could end up costing homeowners thousands. Not only does it leave a messy residue, but it can also slowly damage concrete, block paving, and decorative driveways, leading to costly repairs.

Salt can also cause concrete to crack and flake, stain sealed surfaces, kill nearby plants and grass and even cause beloved pets pain through burns or gastrointestinal issues as a result of licking the salt off their paws.

Driveway and pavement expert at Localists and Director of PD Groundworks, Tony Walsh, says there's a cheaper, quicker and far gentler way to deal with ice using items many households already have at home.

"When the first frost hits, people panic and throw salt everywhere," he said. "But there's a much smarter solution that works in seconds and won't ruin your driveway."

Tony recommends mixing two parts water with one part rubbing alcohol, then adding a small squirt of washing-up liquid. It's a solution that costs pennies and can often be made with cupboard essentials. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, shake well and spray directly onto icy patches.

"The alcohol lowers the freezing point so the ice melts fast, while the washing-up liquid helps it stick to the surface," Tony explains. He says the method improves grip almost instantly and avoids the long-term damage caused by salt. "It's safe to use even on decorative or sealed driveways," he added.

Timing is key. Tony advises spraying early, before ice fully forms, as thick frost is much harder to shift once it bonds to the surface. Using a spray bottle rather than a bucket also helps target problem areas, melts ice faster and avoids waste.

When properly diluted, Tony says the mixture shouldn't harm pets or gardens, but homeowners are advised to check care guidance for their specific driveway materials.

The overuse of rock salt is coming at a cost, with Sales Director of Localists, Michael Marshall, reporting requests for driveway repairs spiked by 36 per cent in the first week of March.

He said, "We see the same pattern every year. Once the winter weather clears, enquiries for cracked, damaged and deteriorating driveways jump sharply. A big part of that is down to people repeatedly using salt, which slowly eats away at driveway surfaces."

Marshall added: "On average, customers are paying between £500 and £800 to repair cracked driveways. In many cases, they're having to completely replace their driveway, which can cost in excess of £5000."

Marshall also revealed that Brits with concrete driveways should be extra careful, adding,

"The majority of the requests for driveway repairs come from customers who have concrete driveways. This is because of the porous nature of concrete, which can absorb water and dissolved salt. So I would urge those with concrete driveways to be extra careful."