How to Safely Remove Snow From Your Deck

The winter months can be brutal, with snowstorms and heavy winds rapidly accumulating snow on your roof and deck. Snow can easily accumulate on protruding edges, making it difficult for you to remove it. If the accumulation becomes so heavy that your roof begins to leak structurally, you will have a serious problem. Here are some tips and tricks to safely remove snow from your deck.

1. Use a Broom

The first method to remove snow from your deck is to use a broom. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection, as you will be working in dangerous areas of your roof. Before you begin your work, check the weather forecast for that area for any signs of snow; if it looks like snow will fall, wait a few days until there are no warnings or indications of snow or precipitation.

2. Use a Snow Shovel

By far, the heaviest and most efficient way to remove the snow is with a snow shovel. It will help you remove the small amounts of snow that make it past your broom, but it’s also important to use a snow shovel with large side blades to avoid damaging your roof or skylight.

3. Use a Snow Blower

If you have a smaller deck, it may be more suitable to use a snow blower than a snow shovel. Snow blowers are lightweight and silent, which makes them ideal for small areas. If you have a large area to clean, however, using a snow blower would be much harder on the roof or skylight due to its size and weight.

4. Use a Hand Truck

If you don’t have a small deck, or if you don’t have a roof or skylight and only need to clear snow from the steps of your deck, using a hand truck is the most convenient way to remove the snow. This is especially true if you have an automatic opener or an attached cover. Place the hand truck on top of your deck, attach it to your cover and let it do all the work.

Hopefully, you now understand the options available to remove snow from your deck safely. No matter your situation, it’s important to know how snow removal varies depending on the size of your deck and the type of roof or skylight on it. Call S & K Remodeling today for more information on how we can help.