Boardwalk Snow Clearing

What This Service Involves

Waterfront and wetland boardwalks around Puget Sound get slick fast because wood and composite hold a thin film of ice that is nearly invisible. Metal-edged plows and chloride deicers would gouge the boards and corrode the fasteners, so those tools stay off the deck. Our crews use poly-edge tools and hand work to clear snow while protecting the surface and the gaps between planks. For traction we use sand or plank-safe grit that will not wash harmful chemicals into the water below.

Benefits

Protects wood and composite decking from blade damage; Avoids chloride deicers that corrode fasteners; Keeps plank gaps clear for drainage; Uses sand or grit that will not contaminate the water below

Our Process

1) Clear the boardwalk by hand with poly-edge tools; 2) Keep the gaps between planks open for drainage; 3) Avoid chloride deicers on the wood or composite surface; 4) Apply sand or plank-safe grit for traction

What Affects the Cost

Boardwalk length and width; Decking material and required care; Environmental limits near water and wetlands; Hand labor versus mechanical clearing; Frequency of freeze-thaw over the event

Best Time of Year

Clear boardwalks promptly during each freeze, as waterfront humidity keeps them icy through the December-to-February cold spells.