Use and Care Guide

CARE AND MAINTENANCE — 5 — CLEANING YOUR DECK
SALT AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Choosing the best ice melt product
Cleaning up ice melt debris quickly and easily
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If the winter weather has left your deck slippery or ice-covered, choose calcium chloride-based "ice melt"
or rock salt to remove the snow and ice.
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Don’t use sand as it is naturally abrasive and could easily damage the surface of the deck boards.
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Look for the phrases "safe for concrete,” "safe for flagstone," and "will not kill grass" in the ice melt
product description.
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Avoid ice melt with added colorant. These dyes can stain composite or PVC decking.
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If you have children or pets that frequent your deck in the winter, ensure your chosen product will be safe
for them as well.
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When the threat of inclement weather has passed, use a broom to sweep up any existing granular pieces and
discard the ice melt. This will prevent people and pets from tracking in ice melt that could damage indoor flooring.
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Remove any remaining buildup of ice melt with water and a light scrubbing. Use a non-metal deck brush.
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When warmer temperatures return, it’s best to rinse your deck with a garden hose to remove any stubborn
leftover debris.
TIPS FOR SNOW REMOVAL:
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A leaf blower or broom should easily clear a light
dusting of snow.
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Never use metal shovels or sharp-edge tools
when removing snow or ice from your composite
or PVC deck. Even the most resilient boards
could be scratched or gouged.
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Plastic shovels or plastic/nylon bristled deck
brooms will remove snow from the deck as well
as limit the risk of scratches to the deck surface.
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When clearing snow, always shovel in a path
parallel to the deck boards, not perpendicular.
Never use an ice chipper — even a plastic one —
on your deck, at the risk of permanent damage.