The Winter Challenge for Utah Decks
In Utah, we take pride in our "Greatest Snow on Earth," but for a deck, that snow is a heavy, moisture-laden burden. As a local company that grew up in the Davis and Salt Lake areas, Elevate Exteriors knows exactly what January and February can do to a backyard. Whether you have a luxury composite retreat or a classic timber deck, the freeze-thaw cycles of the Wasatch Front can cause significant damage if you aren't prepared.
Tip 1: The Golden Rule of Shoveling
When the snow starts piling up on your deck, your first instinct is to grab the shovel. But be careful: the wrong tool can ruin your deck’s surface in minutes.
- Never use a metal shovel: Metal blades can scratch composite boards and gouge natural wood. Always use a plastic shovel with a protective rubber leading edge.
- Shovel with the grain: Always push your shovel parallel to the deck boards, not across them. This prevents the blade from catching on the edges of the boards.
- Don't shovel to the bone: It is often safer to leave a thin layer of snow on the deck rather than scraping against the surface.
Tip 2: Ice Melt—The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Ice is the primary safety hazard on a deck, but the chemicals used to melt it can be corrosive.
- Avoid Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride): This is brutal on wood and can leave a white, "crusty" residue on composite that is hard to clean. It can also corrode the hidden metal fasteners holding your deck together.
- Use Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): This is generally considered the safest ice melt for premium decking and is also safer for your pets and landscaping.
- Rinse in Spring: No matter what ice melt you use, make sure to give your deck a thorough rinse as soon as the temperatures stay above freezing to remove any chemical buildup.
Tip 3: Furniture and Grill Care
Your luxury outdoor furniture shouldn't be left to battle the elements.
- Cover or Store: If you don't have a covered pergola, invest in high-quality, breathable covers for your seating and tables.
- Prop up the legs: If possible, place furniture on small "toes" or blocks so moisture doesn't get trapped between the furniture leg and the deck board, which can cause permanent staining or rot.
- The Grill Trap: Make sure your grill is covered. Grease traps that freeze and then overflow during a mid-winter thaw can create a mess that is nearly impossible to clean until spring.
Tip 4: Inspect the Drainage
Before the first big storm, check your "Under-Deck" area. If you have a multi-level deck, ensure that the gutters and drainage systems are clear of leaves. When snow melts and then re-freezes in a clogged gutter, it can create an "ice dam" that can actually pull the gutter away from your deck's frame.
Why Structural Pride Matters in Winter
At Elevate Exteriors, we build our decks with "Winter in Mind." This means we use flashing tape on our joists to prevent water from sitting on the wood and we engineer our frames to exceed local snow-load requirements. A deck that is built with pride and precision is a deck that you don't have to worry about when the blizzard hits.
