Winter Deck Prep

Just because you won’t be spending as much time on your deck this winter, it doesn’t mean you should neglect it when the cold weather sets in. Add ‘winter deck prep’ to your annual list of home improvement chores, and you’ll be glad you did. A little preparation in the autumn means that when the winter weather is gone, you’ll be enjoying your deck a lot sooner.

Start early

Don’t leave your deck prep work until it’s cold, rainy, and windy. Towards the end of summer, while you’re still using the deck, look it over thoroughly for signs of wear and tear or damage. Loose boards, nails that stick up, and broken pieces of decking should all be noted and repaired. It’s much easier to find problems with your deck when it’s being used, so take this opportunity to make your repairs.

Clean it down

In the late fall, once you’ve stopped using your deck for entertaining or outdoor dining, clear away your patio furniture and clean the deck using a mild soap and warm water. You can also buy special deck cleaning solutions that help tackle things like mildew, mold, and fungus that might be growing on your deck. Use a pressure washer to tackle hard-to-read areas on your deck and blast away debris.

Sand it and seal it

Before the winter ice and snow can get to your deck, you should sand down any rough spots to prepare the deck for sealing. Use a water repellant sealer to prevent the wood from getting damaged due to prolonged exposure to the wet ice and snow during winter. Make sure that your deck is completely dry before you apply the sealant or you could seal moisture in and cause the wood to rot.

You need to seal your deck while the weather is still fairly warm. Below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature could drop further during the night before the sealant has dried. If this happens, moisture could be trapped beneath the sealant, making your hard work worthless.

With the right preparation in the fall, you’ll welcome in the springtime with a sturdy deck that’s ready to be used almost right away.

For more tips on maintaining your Halifax windows, deck, or other home improvement tips, contact Windows Plus today.