Decks are a great way to spend time outdoors but as they are permanent outdoor structures they are always threatened by the arrival of winter. Through cold, moisture and other factors winter can cause significant damage to a deck if you are unprepared. In today’s blog we will be providing you with some helpful tips on how to winter proof your deck.
Inspect Your Deck
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your deck for winter and keep it in good condition is to inspect all parts of your deck for damage before winter. You should keep your eyes open for any cracks, splintering or loose boards. Damage such as cracks and splinters can accumulate water in winter and any damage can be worsened when that water freezes. You may want to get this inspection done as early as possible so you have time to deal with any damage you find before the full strength of winter hits.
Clean Your Deck
Making sure your deck is good and clean before winter hits is a good way to ensure that it is usable as quickly as possible when warmer weather hits and help prevent damage over winter. Remove any accumulated debris like leaves and pine needles as these can cause stains and damage. You should also be sure to remove any mold or mildew that might stain or damage your deck.
Seal Your Deck
If you have a traditional wooden deck it is a good idea to make sure the deck is properly sealed before winter. Properly sealing your natural wood deck will help prevent water from rain, ice or snow from damaging the wood and keep it in good condition.
Remove Snow
In snowy climates snow will inevitably accumulate on your deck however it is important to keep this snow managed during the winter months. Excess snow weighs a lot and can place a great deal of strain on your deck and lead to damage and warping of boards. Accumulated water caused by snow can also seep into any cracks or faults in your deck causing further damage.
Trim Foliage
Overhanging trees and bushes that may become laden with snow over the winter months can risk damaging your deck both by dumping large quantities of snow directly onto your deck and broken branches that can cause damage to your deck’s surface. This is why it’s a good idea to trim back any excess branches that overhang your deck from trees and bushes before winter arrives.
We hope we have been able to provide you with some useful tips to help protect your deck over the winter months. If you have any questions about deck or decking, please feel free to contact us.
Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties and can build or fix any deck around. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.
