Has the amount of snow on your deck ever worried you? Are you afraid of your beautiful deck collapsing under the immense weight? Well, perhaps you shouldn’t be pressed about it.
Has the amount of snow on your deck ever worried you? Are you afraid of your beautiful deck collapsing under the immense weight? Well, perhaps you shouldn’t be pressed about it. It depends, though, on quite a few factors. If you’re wondering about whether or not you should be shoveling snow off your deck during the winter, read on.
When You Shouldn’t Shovel
If the snow level is under 3.5 feet, you shouldn’t have to shovel at all. Decks are built to handle plenty of weight–usually, they’re stronger than most roofs. So, you don’t have to worry during most snowstorms, even if you have heavy furniture on your deck. Shoveling can also harm your deck’s material. In this same vein, watch out for falling ice that can impact the surface of your deck. Shoveling snow is a lot of work that you could potentially avoid. Don’t overwork yourself–unless the snow is to dangerous levels, you don’t need to do anything.
When You Should Shovel
Shoveling can be useful, however, if you have a dog! Dogs need access to the yard to do their business, so it’s important to clear a path for them. Older dogs may stumble and get stuck in the snow–and no one wants wet, cold snow covering their furry legs. Clearing a path for a safety exit is a good idea, as well. If there is an emergency and you need to get out of your home in a hurry, it’s best to clear a path on your deck in order to provide a quick getaway should you need one. In more northern and western areas of Maryland, watch out–when the snow is over three and a half feet, you need to shovel.
Need a sturdy deck for the winter? Mid Atlantic Deck & Fence is here to help!
Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence has almost 30 years of experience in building beautiful custom fences, gazebos, screened-in porches, and decks throughout the state of Maryland. We have the expertise to design your dream fence or custom deck and have it installed in a headache-free process. Give us a call at 1-800-833-9310 or visit us online for a quote today! We offer many different styles of fencing and decking in addition to custom options designed specifically to suit your preferences and tastes. To see examples of our work and get more tips on how to choose the right decking for your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn.