While I was trying to finish a new house in time for the holidays, the forecast called for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The house is located up a steep driveway, and I knew that if bad weather hit, we wouldn’t be able to get up that drive for a long while.
As a hedge against an impassable driveway, I laid four rolls of #15 tar paper in the center of the tire tracks and weighted them down with scrap lumber. Sure enough, the bad weather hit. We got about 1-1/2 in. of sleet and ice. But the tar paper didn’t absorb any precipitation, so the ice couldn’t bond to the drive.
When I arrived on the site the next day, I exposed a corner of paper and began to pull. The tar paper’s flexibility caused the ice to break apart in chunks, which I pushed to the side. In 30 minutes, the driveway had two 3-ft.-wide clear strips leading to the house. We got our work done, and the owner was home for Christmas.
Jim Benton, Riner, VA
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Not So Big House
All New Bathroom Ideas that Work
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
