Heated driveways are a big investment, but if the winter season is brutal where you live then it may be worth it! Keep ice and snow away with a heated driveway. There are pros and cons to maintaining a heated driveway. Find out if a heated driveway adds value or makes selling your home more difficult. Not sure if a heated driveway is for you? Sell your home as-is and get a cash offer when you sell to Best Price Homebuyers! We specialize in buying homes in Omaha as-is.
What is a heated driveway?
There are two types of heated driveways, hydronic and electric coil systems. Hydronic systems circulate a water-antifreeze mix by using a boiler and pump to circulate it through PVC tubes that are under the concrete. The tubes are spread six to eight inches apart and are arranged in a wave-like pattern to distribute heat evenly throughout the driveway.
The electric coil system uses metal heating cables that go under the pavement and are controlled by a wall-mounted control unit. These systems are very strong and are able to reach high temperatures of over 200 degrees.
Sometimes there is a third option that can be considered, driveway mats. These are installed seasonally and include two tracks of slip-resistant rubber mats that have central heating. These mats align with your vehicle's tire path. The mats are able to withstand the weight of your vehicle as well as ice and snow. A snow and ice-free path will be visible within hours or even minutes.
Pros of heated driveways
One of the main reasons people invest in heated driveways is the convenience it offers in the colder months! Snow and ice can be melted in as little as an hour. For some systems, you can schedule when you want the heat to be turned on and off. Others let you manually turn them on and off whenever it is convenient.
Another pro is that fewer injuries are had due to shoveling. When shoveling snow, injuries such as slipping and falling are common. By avoiding this you are less at risk for injury and have fewer health risks when it comes to being exposed to cold temperatures.
When heated driveways are installed salt damage is avoided. Those who resort to using salt to rid their driveways of snow and ice can get it trapped in cracks and crevices which can deteriorate the pavement in time. Salt can also play a role in damaging the undercarriage of your vehicle and the landscaping near your driveway.
Cons of heated driveways
A con of having a heated driveway is that the concrete can be stressed if the heating tubes underneath are not spread out evenly. If some parts of the driveway are heated more than others then that can cause cracking in the driveway.
If you want to install a heated driveway you have to tear up your old driveway in order to put the heating coils under the concrete. Sometimes resurfacing will do the job, but often the whole driveway will have to be redone.
A lot of times people will want a heated driveway but the overall cost of it will be a major deciding factor. When it comes to clearing ice and snow from your driveway, it will save you the time and money needed to hire professional services. In the wintertime, your utility bills will see an increase and the initial installation price for the driveway will be high as well. But the overall usage cost is considerably low.
Buying homes in Omaha
We specialize in buying homes in the Omaha Metro! Sell your house as-is to Best Price Homebuyers. When you sell your property for cash, you will receive an offer in as little as 24 hours! We will buy your house and make it a simple and stress-free process. Contact us today and request a cash offer.