Deck Snow Removal Before It Becomes a Collapse

Deck snow removal is easy to put off. The deck isn’t keeping the weather out, and nobody is walking on it in January, so it’s tempting to let the snow pile up until spring. In Summit County, which averages about 268 inches of snowfall a year, that can be a costly mistake. A deck can quietly collect snow from storm after storm, plus whatever slides off the roof above, until the weight is more than it was built to carry.

Why decks are vulnerable to snow

Decks often aren’t designed for the loads that roofs are. A roof is part of the main structure of the house. A deck is usually an attached platform held up by posts, beams, and a ledger board fastened to the house. Several things make decks especially exposed to deck snow load problems:

• Roof shedding. Snow and ice sliding off a roof can dump a large, dense pile onto a deck in seconds. That load lands all at once and is often concentrated in one area.
• Drifting. Wind piles snow against walls and railings, so some parts of the deck carry far more than the open snowfall total would suggest.
• Melt and refreeze. Thawing followed by refreezing adds weight and creates ice. A deck that held a fluffy foot of snow can be carrying dense, icy snow a week later.
• Age and connections. Older decks, and decks with weathered fasteners or ledger connections, have less margin for extra weight.
• Nobody watching. On second homes and rentals, a deck can load up for weeks without anyone seeing it.

A real example from Summit County

Deck collapse from snow isn’t a hypothetical here. In a past heavy season, deck collapses were reported in the Wildernest area of Silverthorne, according to CBS4 Colorado coverage. In past heavy seasons, local officials also urged second homeowners to get snow removed, and contractors reported waits of up to a week because so many people called at once.

Signs your deck is carrying too much snow

• Snow depth on the deck is noticeably deeper than on open ground nearby
• A large pile of snow or ice has slid onto the deck from the roof
• Deck boards, beams, or railings look like they’re sagging or bowing
• The sliding door onto the deck sticks or won’t open normally
• You hear creaking from the deck, or you see cracks or gaps where it meets the house

If you see sagging or separation from the house, keep people off the deck and away from the area underneath it, and call for help.

How to shovel snow off a deck safely

Professional deck clearing is about taking weight off without damaging the deck or creating new hazards. The approach usually includes:

• Plastic shovels, not metal. Metal edges gouge decking, especially composite boards, and catch on fasteners.
• Clearing evenly. Removing snow in a balanced way avoids shifting all the remaining weight to one side.
• Leaving the surface intact. Rather than chopping at ice bonded to the boards, the focus is on removing the bulk of the weight.
• Picking a safe drop zone. Snow shouldn’t land on stairs, walkways, window wells, hot tub covers, or a lower deck.
• Checking what’s above. If the roof above is loaded and likely to shed again, clearing the deck without dealing with the roof may only buy a few days.

Many owners can safely shovel a small, low deck themselves. For high decks, decks over walkouts, or decks that are already showing stress, it’s safer to have a professional do it.

Decks over walkouts, stairs, and hot tubs

Some decks need more care than others. A deck high above a walkout basement puts anyone working on it, and anyone below, at greater risk. Exterior stairs fill with snow and can become an exit hazard. Hot tubs on decks add weight of their own, and their covers can be damaged by snow thrown or dropped on them. Mention any of these when you request help so the job can be planned around them.

What to expect from a deck clearing visit

The professional will look at how much snow is on the deck, whether the roof above is likely to shed more, and where removed snow can safely go. They’ll clear the deck surface, stairs, and railings as agreed, keeping snow off walkways and lower levels. If they notice signs of stress in the deck itself, they can point them out so you can have it checked.

When to call for deck snow removal

• After a big storm or a series of storms, before the next thaw-and-freeze cycle
• After snow slides off the roof onto the deck
• When the property is vacant and nobody can check on the deck
• When you see any of the warning signs above
• Before guests arrive at a short-term rental, so decks, stairs, and exits are safe

Deck clearing is often paired with roof snow removal and ice dam removal, since the roof above is usually the source of the worst loads.