shovel on snowy deck

Tips for Protecting Your Deck from Snow

Snow days are picturesque and cozy in theory but can be a real pain in practice. You probably already know that the best thing you can do to save yourself the hassle during snow days is to salt your driveway and paths, put your car in the garage, and keep a snow shovel close at hand. However, did you know you also need to prepare your deck for winter weather? Protecting your deck from snow is important because it not only preserves the life of your deck — it also keeps you and your family safer. Follow these tips and gain peace of mind!

Remove Debris

Clean your deck today, prevent problems tomorrow. Sweeping your deck and scrubbing off mold and mildew may seem trivial, but it’s an essential part of protecting your deck from snow. Removing debris helps prevent wooden decks from eroding, which in turn helps your deck stand up to snow and ice melting onto and into it during harsh winter weather. Deck washing is part of this process and can be done with a hose or a pressure washer. Always use pressure washers with care and on low settings to avoid doing damage.

Stay On Top of Maintenance

 A deck in good shape should have tight boards and strong joists and beams. Snow on top of a weak or rotted deck’s surface will only make things worse. It could even put your deck at increased risk for collapse. Stay on top of scheduling deck maintenance and repair during the spring, summer, or fall, and you’ll be protecting your deck during the winter months just by being diligent.

Don’t Leave Your Deck Naked

Staining and then sealing your deck with high-quality products provides an added barrier against the elements year-round, so it’s an essential investment you should make if you’re looking to extend the life of your deck. Bare wood is vulnerable to rotting and water damage. Many protective staining and sealing products are designed to make the process a snap for the handy homeowner. If your deck is already stained or sealed, but the coating is old, you’ll have to sand your deck down and remove any old coating, using a paint stripper and stripping solution before you get started. 

Skip the Salt

It might seem counterintuitive, but when you’re salting your sidewalk, steps, and driveway in anticipation of a snow or ice storm, DON’T salt your deck! This tip especially applies if your deck is made of wood. Salt is harsh on wood and will strip away the layer of staining and sealing or water-repellant finish you worked so hard to apply — or even do damage to the wood underneath. Many grainy or acidic ice-melting products can cause similar harm, so it’s best to play it safe and not use de-icing products at all.

Use Tarps

Using tarps is an easy solution for protecting your deck from snow. Even if you don’t have a tarp large enough for your deck, you can use several tarps or at the very least put tarps over your deck furniture and other items on your deck. If you’ve prepared your deck by covering it up with a tarp, you’re adding a waterproof barrier that keeps snow and ice from gathering on and seeping into your deck’s surface. Plus, tarps can help make snow removal a snap. Speaking of snow removal…

Remove Snow ASAP

After you’ve shoveled your driveway and sidewalks, the last thing you probably want to do is shovel your deck. However, clearing snow from your deck is a big part of protecting your deck during winter. Even if it’s been stained, sealed, and waterproofed, a wooden deck can still be damaged over time due to excessive snow accumulation. A snowblower is the preferred way to remove snow because it doesn’t touch the deck during the snow removal process, but you can use a snow shovel if you’re careful. When you’re clearing snow off a wooden deck using a shovel, be sure to scoop snow in the same direction as the boards to prevent scratches on your finish. Keep the snowblower or an extra snow shovel by your back porch this year so you can be prepared to clear off your deck.

Do you have other questions about how to protect your deck during the winter? You can always contact our experts for help. We’ve been doing deck maintenance and deck installation in Pennsylvania for over 35 years. We know exactly how to stain, seal, and waterproof your deck to provide ideal protection from snow and ice. We’re also proud to serve Bucks County’s hardscaping, landscaping, and pool & spa needs. Anthony Landscapes can do it all! Contact us today.