How to Keep Your Deck Safe From Ice and Snow

At SEAL-A-DECK, we have seen the extent of damage that ice and snow can cause decks. Living in New England poses its own set of unique challenges. The often-harsh winters can wreak havoc on your deck. There are ways to help your outdoor living space survive even the coldest months. Our goal is to keep your deck protected and usable for many years to come. Here are our best tips for keeping your deck safe from ice and snow.

Prepare Before the Snow

The first step to keeping your deck safe from snow and ice should happen well before the winter weather hits. You should be preparing and repairing as needed throughout the year to keep your wood material in the best shape possible. The winter will only exacerbate issues that you already have. Preventative maintenance should be done on schedule. The longer you wait to fix an issue, the more time consuming it will be. Our experts know this is true, therefore we offer the Advantage Plan to make it easier to afford and schedule your maintenance appointments. This plan makes it easier to keep your deck maintained before there are major issues. Before the wintertime, you should clear your deck of debris such as leaves and limbs. You should also make sure that your deck is not overdue for any treatments or sealants. In this case, the old saying is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is where our Advantage Plan can help.

Use the Correct Shovel

Not all shovels will be suitable for the care of your wooden deck or patio. The only safe option for shoveling snow on a wood deck is one with a plastic-edge. Many types of softwoods, like cedar or redwood, are easily scratched with traditional metal shovels. Even hardwoods and composite decking materials are not resistant to the destruction that a metal shovel can cause. SEAL-A-DECK always suggests shoveling when the snow is at a foot tall, consequently, your shovel will be in regular use throughout a New England winter. Plastic shovels are the only way to go if you want to maintain your wood’s condition while keeping it free from snow and ice.

Deicers

When it comes to deicers, not all of them are created equal for your wooden deck. Many ice melting options on the market contain dyes and other colorants that can break down your wood decking and even stain it. The best option for a deicer on your deck is one labeled as “pet friendly”. Not only is this helpful for your furry family, but it will not cause any harm to your deck. Salt is another popular option, but it tends to dry out your wood, therefore we do not recommend it. There are safer alternatives on the market.

Deck Safety Year-Round

Although we know that the fun of wintertime and the holidays is what is most on everyone’s mind right now, you should have a plan in place to keep your deck safe from anything that Mother Nature will throw at it. The only way to ensure that your deck is well taken care of is to have a consistent maintenance plan in place throughout the year. Give SEAL-A-DECK a call today at 1-866-SEALADECK to discuss prevention actions and get a free estimate on services.