Winter can be an especially harsh and unforgiving season– to cars, to homes, to trees, to decks, and more. To help you get the most for your money and see your deck through to the warmer climes of spring, Freedom Fence has put together a few tips on what you can do to winterize your deck. The most important thing to keep in mind is that while you might not use your deck in the winter, it does still need to be maintained throughout the season.
Cleaning
Dirt and debris accumulate quickly, especially when left unchecked. While it is a natural phenomenon, it still can be harmful to your deck’s structure. Take the time to clean your deck thoroughly throughout the year – a regular washing and sweeping can greatly reduce the possibility of structural damage. It will also help remove dirt and debris from the gaps in between the deck boards, which can go a long way to maintaining your deck’s structure and ventilation.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can grow anywhere damp—and quickly—meaning they can easily overwhelm your deck if not kept in check. They eat away at your decking materials. If you do observe mold and mildew on your deck, contact a decking expert on what products you can use safely on your deck.
Water-Repellent Sealer
An excellent proactive move you can take is to apply water-repellent sealer to your deck. The moisture from winter’s rains and snows can quickly damage your deck and its infrastructure. Water-repellent sealer can also help prevent mold and mildew by not giving it a chance to grow.
Storage
Rain, moisture, snow, and air can easily result in your planters having adverse effects on a wooden deck. To keep your deck in the best shape, you may want to consider moving planters into a storage area to prevent them from staining your wooden deck. Once the weather warms up, feel free to move them back! You could also cover your deck entirely, but be careful to ensure that there are no areas where water can pool, since mold and mildew can accrue this way.
Snow
Snow is beautiful to look at and fun to play in, but it can also accumulate quickly and cause a deck to collapse. If there is a significant amount of snow on your deck, try to shovel it as often as you can to preserve the structure of the deck.
Winterizing your deck starts now! So get to work and make sure your deck survives the winter. If you have any questions, please contact Freedom Fence and Home by calling 443-271-6841 or visit our website.
With 40 years of experience, Freedom Fence and Home has provided the highest quality fence and decking materials to its many residential and commercial clients throughout in Baltimore, Maryland and Harford county as well many residential clients in Baltimore county and Baltimore city. Our deck and fencing experts are available to help homeowners and businesses select the right design and materials for any fence, deck or home improvement project.
Freedom Fence and Home – Your Maryland Deck and Fence Experts!
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Sources: Winterizing Your Deck