How to Clear Snow From a Wood Deck

The wood deck that provides so much pleasure in summer can be a great place in winter as well since many people position decks to get sunshine at least some of the day. Keep the wood deck clear of snow to protect your investment, enjoy a winter day and access a hot tub or outdoor grill during any season. Read on to learn how to clear snow from a wood deck.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic shovel
• Outdoor broom

1. Buy a plastic shovel. Hardware stores sell snow shovels with a plastic scoop. Avoid any snow shovel with a metal strip as it will damage the wood.

2. Purchase a large outdoor broom with stiff bristles. This is a useful tool in getting show from a wood deck.

3. Shovel snow from a wood deck going in the length-wise direction of the wood. Avoid going across the wood slats to keep the edges of each board smooth and to protect the nails or screws that fasten the deck together.

4. Use the broom to sweep after shoveling. This helps keep ice from forming in a thin sheet.

5. Avoid using salt or ice melters. The best way to avoid ice build-up is to shovel the deck frequently and avoid walking on snow build-up that packs down and forms ice in the thaw-freeze cycle.

6. Shovel frequently. If at all possible, get outside several times during a heavy snowfall.

Tips & Warnings

• There's not much to do after freezing rain except wait. You can walk carefully on the ice build-up to crack it, then shovel off the pieces and wait for the sun to do the rest.
• Be careful where you push the snow from the wood deck. Pile snow away from the posts and foundation so it can't affect the stability of the structure.
• Remember the sun will warm the wood underneath fairly quickly. Work with the sun passing over the deck to help keep it clear.

Resources

• Helpful Hints for Taking Care of Wood Decks