Preparing Your Deck for Winter: Essential Maintenance Tips

Preparing Your Deck for Winter: Essential Maintenance Tips

As the weather turns brisk and cold fronts move in, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your deck and outdoor space from winter snow and frost. Most people might think of yard work to prepare for winter, but deck maintenance is equally important to preserve your home's value.

Although the deck is built to withstand the seasons, prolonged exposure to the elements can cause wear and tear, reducing the deck's lifespan. Repairing damaged boards or fixing the stain on the deck's surface can be costly and time-consuming if left for too long.

Instead of waiting around for your beloved deck to fall apart, take some time to prepare for the winter months with these essential maintenance tips.

The team at Pemberton Valley Hardware & Building Centre has prepared the following tips and tricks to help maintain your expensive investment.

Preventative Care Is Key

You may have noticed that your wood deck needs minor repairs after only a few years. Typically, a deck shows its age with warping boards, splinters, leaning support beams, and damaged finish after exposure to the elements.

Before the harsh winter weather rolls in, survey your deck, tighten any loose bolts, and prepare the wood with some easy preventative measures. Performing preventative tasks can save you massively on costly repairs in the future.

Store and Protect Your Patio Furniture

The first step to preparing your deck for the winter is to pack away your expensive outdoor furniture. If you have an outdoor storage space like a shed, start by cleaning off the furniture and stacking it in storage.

If covered storage isn’t an option, bring patio cushions indoors. When keeping the furniture outside for the season, you can stack everything on the side of the house to get some coverage from the awning.

Remove Dirt and Debris

When autumn leaves fall on your deck, you may notice them sticking to the wood and creating an imprint. To keep the surface clean, sweep off any natural debris. The moisture from leaves can cause wood to warp and discolour over time.

Eliminate Mildew and Mould

Mould and mildew should be removed immediately when discovered. However, you might not notice something growing underneath the deck or in between the planks when you’re enjoying cookouts and family time on the deck.

It’s important to check the deck or patio’s perimeter to spot mould. Allowing it to grow through the winter months can result in devastating wood damage in the spring.

Homemade Mildew Removal

One of the most effective homemade mould removers is using simple items you already have around your home.

Materials

Using a common garden sprayer, combine three parts water to one part oxygen bleach like Oxyclean or Ajax, and ¼ cup of ammonia-free liquid dishwasher detergent in the spray canister.

Method

Apply the solution liberally to the deck's surface and underside. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for about 15 minutes before spraying it off with the hose.

Test the Sealant

Perform a quick water test on the wood to ensure the sealant is still doing its job. Lightly spray the deck with a hose on medium. If the water beads up, the sealant is still doing its job.

If the water seeps into the wood, it’s time to grab some tools and begin resealing before winter. You can perform this task over the entire deck or in problem areas.

Remove Snow Regularly

Consider keeping a shovel out on the deck to remind yourself to remove snow every time it collects. The excess water from melting snow can seriously damage and warp the wood planks, which might result in costly repairs in the spring. Although this might seem tedious, it can be one of the best ways to prevent damage.

Now that you’ve properly prepared your deck for the winter, you can rest assured that the wood will be protected for the spring and summer months.

The team at Pemberton Valley Hardware & Building Centre will happily assist with your deck maintenance needs this season.