My Other Car is a ZAMBONI

angela4design · 02-19-2008, 12:33 PM

The ice in the driveway is getting a little out of control. The rain/slush/freeze routine is making it a skating rink! Sand freezes in, salt doesn't seem to help. Chipping the ice away works if you can get it, but that's pretty intense work!

Has anyone found a solution to cut down on the ice buildup?

Island Life · 02-19-2008, 01:10 PM

A little off topic but relevant to the name of the thread: does anyone know of a way to "zamboni" a pond? There have to be some clever engineer-types out there who have thought this one through.

Lakegeezer · 02-19-2008, 01:13 PM

One turn on my driveway is pure ice. Even though it is flat, my car just wouldn't make the turn at any speed. The only thing I've found to work is sand - and many applications. Thank goodness its snowing a bit today. It will at least provide some surface for the tires to grab on.

JayDV · 02-19-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angela4design

The ice in the driveway is getting a little out of control. The rain/slush/freeze routine is making it a skating rink! Sand freezes in, salt doesn't seem to help. Chipping the ice away works if you can get it, but that's pretty intense work!

Has anyone found a solution to cut down on the ice buildup?

Assuming a dirt or gravel driveway:

I kept several buckets of that grey rock chips in the garage. When the ice built up, I would sprinkle a generous amount along with some rock salt. The salt would start softening the ice and the stone would pick up the suns heat to "nestle" into the ice giving the tires something to latch onto for grip. Then Spring cleanup was either they sunk into the mud or could rake them up and store for next ice situation.

Argie's Wife · 02-19-2008, 02:07 PM

It's a sad statement when you're looking for snow to make the ice easier to drive on...

JayDV · 02-19-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Life

A little off topic but relevant to the name of the thread: does anyone know of a way to "zamboni" a pond? There have to be some clever engineer-types out there who have thought this one through.

Assuming cold enough to freeze water and keep it frozen and taking care to avoid thin-ice places:

I always used the Zamboni idea of laying down new water. Identify your skating area by building a mound of snow and get it to freeze into a dam or pool wall. Once your skating area is set, then at night slosh out a few bukets of water. Nothing deep, just a layer. It may take several nights but soon a nice smooth surface builds up. Then subsequent snow removal is easier (and necessary as you don't want to slosh 10 inches of water to cover the fresh snow. Another idea is a pump. The AC to DC adapters can handle a small pump. plug it into your car, run the extension cord and a small submersible pump and short length of garden hose will work.

It may be a little work, but I aways got thanked by the family and friends that used it.

froggy · 02-19-2008, 08:15 PM

"My Other Car is a ZAMBONI"

The exact phrase of the plate bracket on my sister's car. In Annapolis, MD, a very good friend of theirs used to drive the Zamboni at the Naval Academy.

Argie's Wife · 02-20-2008, 12:09 AM

Angela - The honest answer to your question: Wait four weeks.

We've done layers of salt/sand/cat litter - it's helped.

Other than that, we walk like little old ladies from the cars to the door...

dpg · 02-20-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angela4design

Has anyone found a solution to cut down on the ice buildup?

F-l-o-r-i-d-a !

mcdude · 02-20-2008, 08:05 PM

Under the snow is a sheet of ice! photo by RLW

SIKSUKR · 02-21-2008, 10:46 AM

You could turn that negative into a positive McDude by offering luge rides for a fee."Come ride the huge McLuge"!

Weirs guy · 02-21-2008, 12:22 PM

The huge McLuge, I'm in!

I've managed on at least 4 occasions to turn my paved driveway into a beach with sand. Its been effective, but I can't wait to have to clean it up.

Reminds me, time to call the city and ask them to fill the sand drums, again.

John A. Birdsall · 02-21-2008, 02:47 PM

Here in SE Conn, we wonder what all that white stuff is used for. I understand that some have a snowmobile that is trapped in a tent and can't get it out as there is too much white stuff.

jrc · 02-21-2008, 04:38 PM

I caved in the bumper cover on my jeep, by sliding on the ice in my own driveway. Then I called the sandman. For $100 he made a big mess for me to clean in the spring. Then it rained for two days and froze over the sand. Now it's going to snow again. I can't win.

Well I'm sure that bumber cover is cheap, right? It's only plastic.

02-19-2008, 12:33 PM	#1
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	My Other Car is a ZAMBONI The ice in the driveway is getting a little out of control. The rain/slush/freeze routine is making it a skating rink! Sand freezes in, salt doesn't seem to help. Chipping the ice away works if you can get it, but that's pretty intense work! Has anyone found a solution to cut down on the ice buildup?

02-19-2008, 01:10 PM	#2
Island Life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 273 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	A little off topic but relevant to the name of the thread: does anyone know of a way to "zamboni" a pond? There have to be some clever engineer-types out there who have thought this one through. __________________ Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!

02-19-2008, 01:13 PM	#3
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,658 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 344 Thanked 620 Times in 279 Posts	Sand One turn on my driveway is pure ice. Even though it is flat, my car just wouldn't make the turn at any speed. The only thing I've found to work is sand - and many applications. Thank goodness its snowing a bit today. It will at least provide some surface for the tires to grab on. __________________ -lg

02-19-2008, 08:15 PM	#7
froggy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Viewing Winnipesaukee Posts: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My Other Car is a ZAMBONI "My Other Car is a ZAMBONI" The exact phrase of the plate bracket on my sister's car. In Annapolis, MD, a very good friend of theirs used to drive the Zamboni at the Naval Academy.

02-20-2008, 08:05 PM	#10
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,361 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,044 Times in 490 Posts	My Driveway is an Olympic LUGE RUN! Under the snow is a sheet of ice! photo by RLW Last edited by mcdude; 02-20-2008 at 08:07 PM. Reason: I messed it up

02-19-2008, 02:07 PM	#5
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	It's a sad statement when you're looking for snow to make the ice easier to drive on...

02-20-2008, 12:09 AM	#8
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Angela - The honest answer to your question: Wait four weeks. We've done layers of salt/sand/cat litter - it's helped. Other than that, we walk like little old ladies from the cars to the door...

02-21-2008, 10:46 AM	#11
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	You could turn that negative into a positive McDude by offering luge rides for a fee."Come ride the huge McLuge"! __________________ SIKSUKR

02-21-2008, 12:22 PM	#12
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The huge McLuge, I'm in! I've managed on at least 4 occasions to turn my paved driveway into a beach with sand. Its been effective, but I can't wait to have to clean it up. Reminds me, time to call the city and ask them to fill the sand drums, again. __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

02-21-2008, 02:47 PM	#13
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	white stuff Here in SE Conn, we wonder what all that white stuff is used for. I understand that some have a snowmobile that is trapped in a tent and can't get it out as there is too much white stuff.

02-21-2008, 04:38 PM	#14
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I caved in the bumper cover on my jeep, by sliding on the ice in my own driveway. Then I called the sandman. For $100 he made a big mess for me to clean in the spring. Then it rained for two days and froze over the sand. Now it's going to snow again. I can't win. Well I'm sure that bumber cover is cheap, right? It's only plastic.