Heated Driveway for the winter - positive, negative experiences?

[Dante84]

So, my mom is turning 60 next week, and my dad is 63. They are doing a bunch of home improvement stuff to up the value of the house, and because they are done spending money on all the kids, so they are buying things they've wanted for a while.

They are getting a sprinkler system put in next week, so my old man doesn't have to haul the hoses around the yard in the summer heat anymore.

The driveway has been crumbling a bit over the last few years, and they are starting to get quotes for getting it replaced. I really want them to invest in a heated driveway, so they don't have to worry about slipping and falling on the ice come winter time. KC winters can be a bitch. It's just a standard sized JoCo driveway, but it has a pretty steep angle, and it would be easy to slip on. I've done it multiple times while shoveling growing up.

I'm curious as to your experiences if you have any, and an idea on price range.

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Hey, I'm just worried about the single time one of them slips in the next 10-15 years.

If you fall and break a hip at 63, you can age pretty ****ing quick if you aren't moving around as much.

You could place shower mats on the driveway. When the snowfalls are fresh, just shake off the shower mats into the street.

[mlyonsd]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Well it looks like there are a lot of options, but the main two I keep seeing are electric or tubing.

Basically the water/antifreeze mix is heated and run through the tubing. Assuming the tubing is high quality, I dont see a lot of room for breakage, unless the ground shifts over time. It would have to be a dramatic shift for it to break the tubing, I would think.

Electric wiring just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

FTR the company sidewalk is electric.

[SAUTO]

My buddy had a body shop and the floors and drive are heated by water flowing through it. The water goes to his wood furnace, it's a ****ing badass thing
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[Silock]

I think it would be cheaper to hire someone to snow blow and treat it for them.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Silock

I think it would be cheaper to hire someone to snow blow and treat it for them.

Yeah, a water repellant is another option, probably cheaper as well. But if the ice freezes on top of it, might make it even more dangerous.

I'm just wanting to explore all the angles prior to giving my pitch to the parents. If it is somewhat affordable, I'd love for them to spring for the heated drive. Not my house or money, though.