How to Clear Snow and Ice from a Path Safely

Clearing a path in snow and ice is straightforward if you do it in the right order. Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on, then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides¹. Start early: fresh, loose snow is easier to move than snow that has been walked on and compacted². Cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight³.

You do not need permission to clear the pavement outside your home. There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces⁴. If an accident did happen, it is unlikely you would be sued as long as you are careful and use common sense to make sure you do not make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before⁵. People walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves⁶.

Salt is the main tool. Ordinary table or dishwasher salt works, at about a tablespoon for each square metre you clear⁷. If you are short of salt, sand or ash will not stop the path icing over as effectively but give good grip underfoot⁸. Never use hot water to melt snow or ice, because it may refreeze to form black ice⁵.

Clear a path down the middle first

The order of work matters more than the tool. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on, then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides¹. Working from the middle outwards means you always have somewhere safe to stand, and you are not stepping over the snow you have just moved.

Start early. Clear the snow and ice early in the day and cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight³. Clearing fresh, loose snow is easier than shifting snow that has been trodden down². If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath, and you can then cover the path with salt before night to stop it refreezing⁸.

Do not lift too much snow or ice at one time, because compacted snow can be very heavy⁵. Do not work in blizzard conditions⁵. If you are clearing a longer stretch, such as a shared path or a route to a neighbour's door, work in stages and take breaks.

Councils clear roads, footways and footpaths in priority order, so a residential pavement may not be treated quickly⁹. That is why clearing your own frontage helps. You can also help by clearing snow and ice from paths and driveways so care services can reach people who need help¹⁰. Community emergency planning guidance puts clearing local paths of snow and ice and putting down grit, if you can, among the things a neighbourhood group can do¹¹.

Working beside a road: face oncoming traffic

If your path runs alongside a road, treat the road as a hazard. Work from the footway at all times, working towards oncoming traffic wherever possible⁵. Facing the traffic means you can see vehicles approaching and step back if one skids or passes close.

Place snow at the edges of footways next to the road to form a barrier between cars and pedestrians⁵. Put sand or ash down on cleared areas, as it will give grip to walkers⁵. Use grit or salt from grit bins sparingly⁵. Wrap up warm, and wear a reflective coat if you have one⁵. Wear snow and ice grippers when walking, especially when pushing snow, and beware of hypothermia and wind chill effects⁵.

If you are the one clearing, keep your phone with you and tell someone you are going out if the weather is severe. Drivers should keep well back from the road user in front in icy conditions¹³.

Keeping a cleared path from refreezing

A cleared path can become more dangerous than an uncleared one if meltwater refreezes. The defence is salt, applied before the temperature drops. Start early, clear the snow or ice early in the day and cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight³.

Use salt or sand to clear paths, not water, because water may refreeze and turn to black ice⁶. Do not use hot water to melt snow or ice, as it may refreeze to form black ice⁵. Do not use grit or salt from highways grit bins on private property, as this is theft⁵.

Councils spread rock salt on roads to prevent ice forming, and during heavy snowfalls snow ploughs may be used to clear snow¹⁵. When snow is expected, Surrey County Council spreads grit in advance so it can start working as soon as snow falls¹⁶. You can do the same at home: get the salt down before the freeze, not after.

Clearing ice from steps and paths without injury

Steps are where falls happen. Keep outdoor steps, paths and garden walkways clear of ice and frost¹⁷. Treat them before ice forms where you can, and use salt or sand rather than water⁶.

Clear a route down the middle first so you have a safe surface to stand on¹. Put grit or cat litter on paths and driveways to lessen the risk of slipping on compacted snow¹⁴. Take your time, use a handrail where there is one, and do not carry more than you can manage.

If you have neighbours who are older or less able, offer to clear their paths when you clear yours and spread salt⁷. Ordinary table or dishwasher salt can be used, a tablespoon for each square metre you clear¹⁸. This is one of the simplest things a household can do to reduce slips on the street.

What to wear and how to pace yourself

Dress for the work, not for the walk. Wrap up warm, wear a reflective coat if available, and wear snow and ice grippers when walking, especially when pushing snow⁵. Community plans list boots, gloves, a hard hat and a fluorescent jacket as the correct protective equipment for clearing snow¹⁹. For most householders, stout footwear, gloves and something reflective are the practical minimum.

Keep a mobile telephone or radio system with you, and take emergency food and drink if you will be out for a while⁵. If you are clearing a long path or helping several neighbours, tell someone where you are and when you expect to be back.

When to start, and when to leave it to the council

Start as soon as it is safe to do so. Clear the snow and ice early, because it is easier to move fresh, loose snow². If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath, and you can cover the path with salt before night to stop it refreezing⁸.

Councils work to their own timetables. In Lincolnshire, for example, footways and cycleways in the highest priority category are targeted for clearance within 12 hours of snowfall stopping, subject to resources, while lower priority categories may wait up to 5 days⁵. In the Scottish Borders, roads, footways and footpaths are cleared of snow and ice in priority order⁹. That means a pavement near you may not be treated for some time, and your own clearing makes a difference in the meantime.

If you cannot clear your path yourself, ask a neighbour, or contact your council to ask what help is available. You can also help by clearing snow and ice from paths and driveways so care services can reach people who need help¹⁰.