Winter is coming!
The
motto of House Stark is a reminder to be vigilant. And, if you live in a
cold region, you must start preparing for the winter season now. If you
are a homeowner, you should consider renovating your home and think of
ways to make your life simpler during the cold months of winter.

When
you are thinking of caulking the doors and windows to prevent heat
loss, do not forget the driveway. Homeowners do not consider driveway as
an important part of the home and avoid renovating it. But, remember
that a damaged driveway can cause accidents as well as ruin the curb
appeal of your home. So, it is ideal to repair or replace a driveway before the arrival of the winter season.
Ready the Driveway for the Winter Season

Do you have to shovel snow off the driveway every day? Are you
frustrated by the fact that you have to pay someone for removing snow?
There is a solution to your problem. You can install a heated driveway
and forget the trouble of tackling a shovel. It is the best way of
melting your troubles away.
It makes Sense
A heated driveway makes sense if you live in an area that receives
heavy snowfall every year. For example, if you live in the Sudbury area
of Ontario, a heated driveway can be a good option for your home. It is
because the area receives an average annual snowfall of 103.7 inches.
You can consider installing it even if you are living in other parts of
Greater Toronto Area because the region receives heavy snowfall
throughout the winter season.
You may consider it as a luxury item and avoid it. But, before making
any decision, remember that it provides you with multiple benefits such
as:
- Protects your family from accidents
- Increases the life of the concrete driveway
- Reduces the damage by controlling the freeze-thaw cycle of the concrete material
- Reduces physical labor of removing snow from the driveway
If you do not want a heated driveway, you can buy a snow-blower. But,
the machine is expensive. And, as it involves using the machine in low
temperatures, it can become a nuisance for you. So, it is advisable to
spend money on a heated driveway because it is a long-lasting solution
to your problem.
How does it work?
A normal driveway becomes cold in the winter season. So, it doesn’t
melt snow effectively. It can cause problems in driving a car properly.
But, if you have a heated driveway, the heat mechanism ensures that snow
melts quickly and provides safety to you and your family members.
Make a Choice
Installing a heated driveway is not a DIY job. Hire an experienced concrete contractor
to ensure your safety. But, it doesn’t mean that your work ends by
hiring a contractor. In order to install a customized heated driveway,
you have to make a choice between the two types of common heating
systems.
1. Hydronic Heating System
It involves circulating hot water or anti-freeze liquid such as glycol
through pipes in order to keep the driveway warm. The initial investment
for installing the hydronic heating system is high because boiler and
pipes are costly. So, the system is considered as an ideal choice for
large driveways only.
2. Electric Heating System
It
involves using electrical cable for heating the surface of the
driveway. Homeowners prefer the option because it doesn’t require a huge
amount of initial investment. If you want to install the electric
heating system, contact an electrical contractor to assess the electric panel of your home.
Do not make a hasty decision of choosing the heating system. Remember
that a heated driveway is a long-term investment that will make the
unbearable winter season comfortable for you. It has the potential to
melt your troubles away. So, consider your budget as well as your future
needs before making a decision. Discuss your ideas with the concrete
contractor and opt for a sturdy heated driveway within your budget.
Pour
Concrete, a Toronto’s trusted concrete contractor, is famous for
installing heated driveways as well as repairing concrete driveway. Get
in touch with the Toronto’s concrete expert for a free estimate.