Winters in Saratoga Springs can drop a foot of snow overnight, then turn sunny and melt half of it by afternoon before it all refreezes after dark. That freeze-thaw cycle is what wears decks out. A little care through the winter keeps your deck safe to walk on and helps it last. Here’s what we recommend, especially for composite and PVC decks.
Before the first snow
A few fall chores make winter easier:
- Sweep off leaves and debris. Wet leaves trapped under snow can stain boards and hold moisture against them.
- Clear the gaps between boards. Water needs to drain through. Packed debris holds it on the surface, where it freezes.
- Move or cover furniture and planters. Anything left on the deck creates pockets where snow and ice build up and can leave marks.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. That includes an under-deck drainage system if you have one.
- Check your stair and deck lights. Short winter days mean you’ll rely on them more.
Shoveling a composite deck
You don’t have to shovel a deck after every storm. The structure is designed for snow load. But clearing a path to the door, the stairs and the grill keeps them usable and keeps ice from building up in heavy traffic areas. If you’re seeing unusually deep snow piling up on a deck, especially a covered deck roof, clearing it is a good idea.
When you shovel:
- Use a plastic shovel. A metal blade or metal edge can scratch and gouge the protective cap on composite and PVC boards.
- Push along the length of the boards, not across them, so the shovel doesn’t catch on board ends or gaps.
- Don’t chip at ice. Picks, metal scrapers and ice choppers will damage the surface. Let ice melt instead.
- Leave a thin layer if needed. You don’t have to scrape down to bare boards. The sun usually takes care of the last bit.
- Don’t pile snow against the house or on top of the railing.
A leaf blower works well for light, dry snow, which we get often in Utah County.
Ice melt: check before you spread
Ice melt is useful on stairs and walkways, but not every product is safe for every deck. Some products can leave a residue, discolor boards or harm the finish, and some can corrode metal railing or fasteners. Each decking manufacturer lists which ice melt products it approves in its care and cleaning guide. Check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific boards before you use anything.
A few general tips:
- Use as little as possible, only where you walk.
- Avoid rock salt with sand or grit. Grit scratches the surface when people walk on it.
- Rinse it off in spring with water and a soft brush.
If we built your deck and you’re not sure which boards you have, give us a call and we’ll look it up.
Wood decks need a little more attention
If your deck is wood, snow and freeze-thaw are harder on it. Water soaks into cracks, freezes and expands. Make sure the stain or sealer is in good shape going into winter, and clear standing water and ice where you can. The same rules apply for shoveling: plastic shovel, push with the grain, no chipping.
Watch for warning signs
Winter can reveal problems that hide in summer:
- Ice dams or icicles dripping onto the deck from the roof can create dangerous ice patches.
- A railing that moves when you grab it on the way down the stairs.
- New dips or sags after a heavy snow.
If anything looks wrong, stay off that area and have it checked.
Spring checkup
Once the snow is gone, give the deck a good rinse and a gentle scrub with soap and water to remove ice melt residue and dirt. Then do a walk-around: look at the railing, stairs, ledger and footings for anything that moved over the winter. Our post on signs your deck needs to be replaced walks through what to look for.
Building a deck for Utah winters
If you’re planning a new deck, a few choices make winter easier: capped composite or PVC boards that don’t absorb water, G-Tape on the joists or steel framing, a covered roof over the main seating area, and lit stairs. We design every deck for local snow loads.
See our deck tear-out and rebuild service or our Saratoga Springs service area page, and contact us for a free estimate over the phone.