We may have had a bright and sunny remembrance Sunday, but according to news reports, a big surge of snowy weather is on the way. The latest maps indicate that we could see that first snowfall in the north of Scotland as early as the 17th November (that's only two days away!) As we move into mid/late November, you can expect to see snow across northern Ireland, wales and some parts of northern England.
Image from Pexels.com
It's true that cold and icy weather brings us to a grinding halt. Unlike some other countries, we brits never seem to be prepared for the challenges that winter brings. However, if you're hoping to get on top of the problem before you see a blanket of snow in the garden, then now might be a good time to stock up on de-icer, salt and grit. After all, it can get icy out there real quick!
Removing Ice from Composite Decking
Calcium Chloride/ Rock Salt
You might be wondering whether you can use salt to melt ice that forms on your composite decking, the short answer is yes! Salt can be applied to the surface of your composite decking to help melt ice at a faster rate. When you add salt to ice, it dissolves and lowers the freezing point of the water. This is called freezing point depression. As the ice melts, more of the salt is dissolved, thus causing more ice to melt and so on.
This method of ice removal might leave a slight white residue on the surface of your composite decking, which you can take care of by following our simple, composite decking care regime:
How to Clean Composite Decking | Infographic >
Shovelling
If there's snow and ice on the surface of your composite decking, you might want to use a shovel to get the snow out of the way before you apply salt/calcium chloride. We recommend using a plastic or wooden shovel rather than a metal one so that the surface of your deck boards doesn't get scratched.
Does composite decking get as slippery as wood decking?
In general, composite decking is a much better choice if you're looking for decking that won't become overly slippy in winter. While it's true that some ice may form on the surface of your composite deck, it's usually not as bad as the ice that forms on wooden decking. Here's why...
Wood decking is known to be far more porous than composite decking, which means it can quickly take on water. When temperatures drop, this water freezes which not only turns your deck into an ice rink but also damages the boards themselves. Splits, cracks and splintering can all happen as a result of wooden boards being frozen in winter.
In comparison, composite decking is capped with a protective polymer sleeve that prevents water from being absorbed into the boards. It's true that some water gathers on the surface & that it can turn to ice in the conditions are right. However, composite decking won't be damaged by sub-surface ice.
If you live in an area that's prone to freezing temperatures, we'd highly recommend choosing composite decking over traditional wood decking! You can shop the full range of DeckPlus composite decking below.
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Read More: Is Composite Decking Winterproof?
