As summertime once again draws to a close, it’s time to start thinking about the colder months ahead. Although some of our clients live in regions where it rarely gets chilly, like the coastal Carolinas, others reside in mountainous, inland areas where winter weather is a fact of life. Many things need to be done to get the exterior of your home ready for wintertime, but prepping your deck should absolutely be a priority!
As you look over the rest of this guide, you will see a few tips that will help you get your deck set for cold weather. The better you prep your deck before the first freeze, the easier it will be to enjoy deck season again when spring rolls around. Therefore, it’s worth the effort to make sure things are properly taken care of now, rather than dealing with the consequences of an ill-prepared deck later.
Spend time cleaning
The very first thing you should do before you stop using your deck for the year is give it a good cleaning. In addition to mopping up any leftover spills and debris from the season’s gatherings, this will provide you with an opportunity to remove fallen leaves, branches, and other items that could cause rot over the winter. Make sure you use a bleach-free cleaning solution, as bleach can discolor wooden deck boards.
Reseal the deck
This particular tip doesn’t apply to those homeowners who opted for composite decking but is critical for anyone who invested in wooden deck boards. After you’ve given your deck a thorough cleaning, you should use a water repellent sealer to coat the entire surface. This will prevent snow, sleet, and other wintry precipitation from damaging your outdoor living space. It’s a good idea to reseal your deck every year at the end of autumn. There are both clear and colored stain sealant options on the market.
Make sure your deck is in good repair
The final step of good winter deck prep is to look around and make sure there are no boards, rails, stairs, or stability posts that need to be repaired before the cold sets in. Fixing problems now will prevent them from becoming even worse (and more dangerous) over the winter.
Don’t hesitate to contact the team at Hatch Homes to help you get your deck ready for wintertime. We love outdoor living too, and we want to make sure your space is set to survive the cold with no trouble. Let us help you inspect your deck so you can have peace of mind that it was winterized right. We look forward to hearing from you!