Improving Accessibility with a Heated Driveway System

The Challenge

The main challenge addressed in this case study was the need to improve accessibility for aging parents who lived in a home with a steep, inclined driveway that transitions into an elevated area leading to a two-car garage. As mobility can become increasingly difficult with age, the existing driveway and the incline presented significant obstacles. Additionally, the parents' home included an elevator that brought them down from the elevated garage area to the walkway leading to the house. However, the steepness of the driveway and potential icy conditions in winter posed a risk and inconvenience that needed to be resolved to ensure the safety and ease of use for the parents. These issues caused the children to seek a solution to help keep their parents safe and help with their accessibility.

The Solution

To address these accessibility issues, the homeowner’s children decided to invest in a heated driveway system. This system was designed to operate effectively in all seasons, most importantly, in winter, when snow and ice accumulation could make the driveway hazardous. The heated driveway was installed covering the entire stretch of the steep incline and the area near the elevated garage and elevator leading to the house. The system worked by using Warmup electric WSMM Snow Melting Mats to melt snow and ice, ensuring that the surface remained clear and safe regardless of weather conditions. In addition to the heated driveway, the existing elevator system was maintained, which made traveling to and from the garage to the walkway of the house seamless. The combined effect of the heated driveway and elevator ensured that the parents were able to move around their home environment with minimal problems, further enhancing the quality of life.

The Result

The heated driveway greatly improved the accessibility to and safety of the parents' home by reducing snow accumulation and ice buildup. The parents were able to move in and out of their garage and home independently and more confidently without the worry of winter weather impeding their daily routine. Overall, the project solved the challenge of accessibility with an effective solution for winter weather conditions in steep driveways. The parents' convenience and safety consequently had a significant impact on their general comfort and well-being. The value of this heated driveway system comes from helping the parents maintain independence and improving their living conditions as age continues to advance. Make sure to follow us on all our social media platforms @warmupinc for the latest updates on this project!