This Trick Can Lead To a Snow-Free Driveway in Southeast Minnesota

We have snow in the forecast which means we'll all be out there, clearing out our driveways and sidewalks. But do you know this trick that helps all that snow almost magically melt all by itself?

I confess, I had never heard about this phenomenon until we bought our house in northwest Rochester. But it really works.

Unfortunately, it isn't anything you can change-- unless you're moving to a new home, that is.

What is it?

It's nothing more than having a south or west-facing driveway. That's it. But it really helps melt all that snow and ice almost magically!

Why? Well, it's because if your driveway faces west or south (as ours does), it's exposed to all that late-day sunshine, which heats things up and helps ice and snow melt by itself.

Check out the pictures to the left. I took these last week, before the above freezing weather started. Our driveway, which faces southwest, is almost completely clear. Now compare that to our neighbor's driveway, across the street from our house.

Because their driveway faces north, it doesn't get all the sun exposure, and as a result, there's a lot more snow and ice.

So if you're in the market for a new home, and you want some help keeping your driveway clear in the winter, check to see if it has a south-facing driveway.

It really works!