We think you’re going to like the first answer… don’t shovel your deck.  

Often there is a bit of paranoia that the mounds of Ottawa snow will collapse a deck.  But building codes require that decks be sturdier than even your roof and support more snow than you would think.

Water and snow aren’t necessarily good for your deck – but shoveling your wood or synthetic deck will actually create more harm by scratching the wood or trying to protect plastic that is impervious to snow.

What you should do is clear a path in the snow to provide an exit path from your house.  Building codes require two exits to your house for a reason – keep you and your family safe with a path out your back door. Ans while you are clearing an exit path, make sure you clear a path to your grill.

When clearing a path, use a broom to make sure you don’t scratch or damage your deck. if the show is too deep for a broom, use a plastic shovel to clear your path(s). A metal blade will scratch or gouge your deck.  Even with a plastic shovel, be especially careful if your deck flooring is cedar or redwood as these soft woods are more vulnerable to damage.

With your plastic shovel, shovel with the boards, not across them and never… ever chop ice on your deck, even with a plastic shovel.  You’ll be sure to also chop your deck.  Instead, if you need to, use some rock salt, halite, or calcium chloride.

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