Brushing the snow off (or pushing it off with a broom or a rubber blade) might be a better solution. Yes, a shovel could damage the wood, but if it is not cleared, then the weight of the accumulated snow could become a factor, and if the wood is allowed to remain wet during repeated freezing and thawing cycles, that could also cause premature damage. Generally better to clear it gently, to allow the wind and the sunlight to keep it as dry as possible.

Hmmm, good question. Damage the unused deck with your snow shovel OR let the snow stay and melt off and damage it from the water damage......both answers can lower the value of your house. You can solve this problem by tearing down the deck all together so it will not accumulate any snow OR, if the deck is a necessary part of the house, you can replace all the wood on the deck with that new composite wood-like decking that is supposed to last forever and then you can leave the snow on it all you want.

Aside from that - I would say, shovel the snow. It is winter and you probably need the exercise. Just try not to damage the deck with your shovel while doing it . . . and remember to keep hydrated.

If you shovel the snow off and there is no further snow and you get sun or windy weather, it will have the advantage of drying off the deck. When shoveling, slide the shovel at an acute angle along the timber rather than letting it dig in which will tend to make cut marks on the wood. Alternatively use a plastic blade shovel.

You should remove snow from an unused deck as the weight of the snow can cause some structures to fail. Wet snow can weigh a considerable amount. I owned a home that had a flat garage roof; one year of not shoveling and several inches of heavy wet snow caused the ceiling joists to crack and the garage door to not open.

Removing snow carefully should not cause any damage to the wood. Just move slowly, be aware which way the deck boards are running and shovel at an angle rather than either parallel or perpendicular to the deck boards. Push the shovel rather than digging in and scooping the snow; better yet, use a broom if possible.

You should shovel the snow off the deck. Just try to avoid going all the way to the wood. If there is just a little snow you can sweep it off.

Thank you!

Thank you for the award; I appreciate it - and I hope that clearing your deck doesn't involve too much hard work!