Heavy snowfall may leave you concerned about the condition of your patio or deck, but the real damage tends to occur during the removal process. In the wake of winter storms, it is important that you know how to safely remove ice and snow from your outdoor surfaces. The contractors at Scalia's Landscape build beautiful patios in Batavia, NY, and they have some advice on keeping snow-related damages to a minimum.

How to Prevent Snow Damage to Patios & Decks

Shovel Selectively

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to shovel your patio or deck the moment you notice snow buildup. Snow and ice do not cause much damage to sealed wood and concrete surfaces, and decks can withstand up to 60 pounds of pressure per square foot. As a general rule, wait to shovel your deck until snow pileups are taller than about three inches.

Use Gentle Materials & Motions

When the time comes to shovel your patio or deck, do so with a rubber or plastic shovel to reduce the likelihood of scratching your outdoor surfaces. If you have to use a metal shovel, do not allow it to make direct contact with your patio or deck. Additionally, use perpendicular motions to prevent your shovel from getting caught on boards or concrete blocks and dislodging them.

Be Careful With Melting Products

The material from which your deck or patio is made will determine the proper ice-melting product you should use. For example, calcium chloride and salt are safe and effective to use on composite decks and patios made from synthetic materials. Decks made from real wood, however, require gentler melting products, as salt and sand tend to abrade these surfaces. Concrete patios can usually withstand calcium chloride, but to avoid damages, shovel the snow as soon as it starts to melt. 

If the elements get the best of your patio or deck, get in touch with Scalia's Landscape today. From patio installations to lawn maintenance, they are experts at creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces. Give the landscape contractors a call at (585) 343-3106 today to get started on your new outdoor surface, and visit them online to find out more information.