Home / Blog

Clearing Snow Off a Composite Deck in Iowa City: Do It Without Damage

By Iowa City Deck Pros · October 29, 2026

Snow season is coming to Iowa City. If you have a composite deck, how you clear it matters. Here is what Trex, one of the large composite decking makers, tells its owners. If your deck is wood or another brand, check that maker's care guide.

Before the first snow

Trex suggests covering or storing outdoor furniture and sweeping leaves and debris off the deck before winter. [Trex]

Light snow: use a broom

For a light dusting, a broom is enough. [Trex]

Heavy snow: plastic shovel only

• Use a plastic shovel. Trex says metal shovels can damage composite decking, and tells owners never to use a metal shovel. [Trex] [Trex]
• Shovel with the direction of the boards, not across them. [Trex]
• Scratches from shovels are not covered under the Trex warranty. [Trex]

Ice melt

Trex says calcium chloride or rock salt can be used on its decking to melt ice. Rinse it off when practical. [Trex] For older Trex lines such as Accents, Trex says to rinse ice melt off as soon as possible. [Trex]

Not sure what your deck boards are made of? A local deck pro can tell you, and spot any repairs worth doing before the snow piles up.

Sources

• Trex: Let it Snow, Tips for Wintertime Care
• Trex: Care and Cleaning

Iowa City Deck Pros is an editorial local guide with a daily blog for Iowa City, with links to local pros and associates.

More from our blog

• Deck Building Costs in Iowa City, Iowa (2026 Price Guide)
• Iowa City Deck Permit Rules: What You Need to Know
• Best Time to Build a Deck in Iowa City and Why It Matters
• GMRS Radio Guide for Iowa City Deck Building Crews