Deck Maintenance for the Winter Months

When it comes to battling the forces of nature, winter is a fearsome foe. Cold temperatures, moisture, and an unrelenting freeze-thaw cycle can certainly take a toll on the structures we put so much time and money into; just look at your deck. The outdoor space you use for relaxing nights, barbecues, and so much more in the summer isn’t quite so welcoming when the temperatures drop. It’s doing its best to withstand whatever mother nature throws at it. Luckily, with a little helpful deck maintenance, it will make it through the harshest part of the year unscathed.

By taking steps to prevent damage to your deck, you’re extending its lifespan and helping it look great when spring rolls around. From cleaning to deck sealing, here are a few tips for giving it the helping hand it needs.

Perform a Thorough Deck Cleaning and Inspection

A good tactic for maintaining pretty much anything is to keep it clean, but first, you’ll want to give your deck a thorough inspection. Are there any areas that look damaged or decayed? Be sure to check the floor, railings, and stairs, and don’t ignore the underside of the deck either!

Once your inspection is complete, it’s time to clean! Use a mild deck cleaner and a brush to scrub the areas that have visible grime or staining. Once that’s done, you can address the areas of concern you identified earlier. If there were none, it’s time to move to the next step: Deck sealing!

Perform Proper Deck Sealing and Waterproofing

Deck sealing and waterproofing are a necessity for keeping your outdoor living space protected throughout the winter. Because moisture poses a significant threat to wood, steps need to be taken to prevent it from permeating the wood. Taking this precaution reduces the risk of warping and splintering.

To effectively seal and waterproof your deck:

• Select a trusted, high-quality sealant.
• Make sure your deck is dry before you apply the sealant.
• Apply the sealant on a calm, clear day to ensure ideal results.

Adding this protective layer is an important step in winter deck maintenance. It guards it from freezing temperatures and moisture, meaning it’ll stay in great shape!

Clear Furniture and Decorations

Chances are you won’t be utilizing your deck in the winter months nearly as much as you do in the spring, summer, and fall. You may not use it at all! Because of this, you can probably do away with a lot of the furniture, plants, and other decorations—temporarily, of course!

• Remove furniture, planters, rugs, and other items that are easy to relocate.
• If you have items that can’t be moved, cover them up!
• Shifting furniture can cause scratching and staining, so make sure it’s secure enough to stay in place through windy weather.

You may be using your deck less frequently, but what about those winter nights where the weather is (relatively) mild and you want to cozy up around a heater with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate? We’ve always found it to be useful to keep a few chairs easily accessible for such nights.

Prevent Ice Buildup

Ice really likes to cause havoc in the winter. Just look at how dangerous it can be when it covers a road. While ice on a deck isn’t going to cause a car accident, it poses a risk of falls and damage to the structure itself. Here’s what you can do about it:

• Use deck-friendly ice melts. Note that you should not use rock salt, as it’s damaging to wood.
• Cover areas that see lots of foot traffic with rubber mats to prevent falls.
• Take care when shoveling your deck if the need arises. The sharp shovel blades have the potential to cause damage to the surface of your decking material.

Keep an Eye on Snow Accumulation

A deck is built to hold weight, but there’s always a limit. If you find yourself in the middle of a particularly heavy snowfall, keep an eye on its accumulation. It can add up fast and become quite the physical burden for your deck to hold.

What do you do if you’re worried the weight is too much but the snow shows no signs of stopping? Bundle up and clear off as much as you can! Even if you can’t remove it all, lightening the load will go a long way towards protecting your deck. Just keep in mind what we said earlier about taking care while shoveling.

Deck Maintenance Matters

Preparing your deck for the winter—and the harsh weather it brings—doesn’t have to be a chore, but you should take some time to plan in advance and take preventive steps. With proper deck cleaning, sealing, inspections, and more, your winter deck maintenance could be the difference between a stress-free winter and hefty repair costs.

Need a few more tips on how you can perform proper deck maintenance on your outdoor space? Get in touch with us. We’re always happy to talk decks!